LAS VEGAS - - A federal grand jury charged a Las Vegas lawyer today with evading over $600,000 in federal income taxes, announced Daniel G. Bogden, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada.

EDMUND C. BOTHA, a personal injury attorney practicing in Las Vegas, is charged with one count of Willful Evasion of Payment of Income Tax for the tax years 1998 through 2001, in the approximate amount of $689,305. The Indictment alleges that he evaded the taxes by concealing and attempting to conceal the nature and extent of his assets; by placing funds and property in the name of a nominee; and through the extensive use of cash transactions.

If convicted, MR. BOTHA faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He was summoned, and is scheduled to make an initial appearance in U.S. District Court on August 4, 2006, at 8:00 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge George W. Foley.

The case is being investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Russell E. Marsh.

The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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