Department of Justice Seal Department of Justice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2006
WWW.USDOJ.GOV
ENRD
(202) 514-2007
TDD (202) 514-1888

Federal Court Bars Internet Tax-Fraud Scheme

Ohio Man Marketed Scheme Nationwide

WASHINGTON—The Justice Department announced today that a federal court in Cincinnati has permanently barred Batavia, Ohio resident Richard Standring from selling a “FOIA Generator” and “IMF decoding service.” The permanent injunction order—which replaces a preliminary injunction entered last March http://www.usdoj./gov/tax/txdv06149.htm— was signed by Judge Susan J. Dlott of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

The order bars Standring from promoting or selling the FOIA Generator and IMF decoding service or any similar fraudulent scheme that would assist customers to violate tax laws. Earlier, the court adopted the findings of a magistrate judge who found that Standring falsely told customers that they could rely on his services to “decode” IRS documents and to prove they are not legally obligated to file federal income tax returns or pay federal income taxes. Standring and his business, VIP Sales, located in Cincinnati, marketed this scheme nationwide at seminars and on several websites. The permanent injunction was filed May 30, 2006.

Standring also must send a copy of the court’s order to persons who sold or bought his FOIA Generator and IMF decoding service and provide the Department of Justice with a list of customers’ names, addresses, e-mail addresses, and Social Security numbers. More information about this case is available at http://www.usdoj.gov/tax/txdv04722.htm.

The Justice Department has sought and obtained injunctions against more than 180 tax promoters and preparers since 2001. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department Tax Division’s Web site at http://www.usdoj.gov/tax/taxpress2006.htm. More information about the Justice Department’s Tax Division can be found at http://www.usdoj.gov/tax.

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