08/14/2007
Ashland Physician Pleads Guilty to Willfully Failing to File Federal Income Tax Returns
Doctor admits failing to file tax returns despite earning substantial income
Portland, Ore. - An Ashland physician pled guilty in federal court this morning to willfully failing to timely file a federal income tax return for 2003, despite earning a substantial gross income that year. During a hearing before U.S. District Judge Anna J. Brown, Franklin H. Ross, Jr., M.D., 63, admitted earning a gross income of more than $409,000.00 in 2003, acknowledged that he was required to file federal income tax returns for that year, and admitted that he did not file income tax returns when they were due. Dr. Ross neither sought nor received an extension of time in which to file his tax returns.
In April 2007, a federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment charging Dr. Ross with failing to timely file federal income tax returns for the years 2000 through 2003. As part of a plea agreement with the government, Dr. Ross pled guilty to only the 2003 count, although he agreed to pay full restitution to the Internal Revenue Service for all taxes due and owing for each of those four years. Dr. Ross also agreed to cooperate with the IRS in the assessment and collection of income taxes due and owing for each of those four years.
United States Attorney Karin Immergut noted the importance of each citizen filing income tax returns as required. “The payment of income taxes is something we all have to do,” she said. “It is not a matter of personal choice. All citizens have a civic, moral, and legal obligation to file income tax returns and pay their fair share of taxes.”
Dr. Ross faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison, a $25,000 fine, or both. The sentencing hearing is set for October 29, 2007, at 9:00 am.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Gary Sussman.
