FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
December 16, 2013
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Alabama Attorney General
Claire Haynes (334) 242-7351
Page 1 of 1
AG ANNOUNCES ARREST OF MOBILE POLICE OFFICER ON
CHARGES OF INCOME TAX EVASION, FILING FALSE RETURNS
(MONTGOMERY)–Attorney General Luther Strange announced the arrest
today of a Mobile police officer on charges of state income tax evasion and filing
false tax returns. Donald Pears, 61, surrendered this afternoon at the Mobile County
Sheriff’s Office.
Attorney General Strange’s Special Prosecutions Division presented evidence
to a Mobile County grand jury on December 9, resulting in Pears’ indictment.
Specifically, the indictment charges Pears with four counts of evading his
personal income taxes and four counts of filing false income tax returns under
penalty of perjury. The charges involve alleged violations involving the years 2007
through 2010.
No further information about the investigation or about Pears’ alleged crimes
other than that stated in the indictment may be released at this time.
If convicted, Pears faces a penalty of five years imprisonment and a $100,000
fine for each of the counts of income tax evasion, and three years imprisonment and
a fine of $100,000 for each of the counts of filing false returns.
Attorney General Strange commended Assistant Attorney General Bill
Lisenby and thanked Alabama Revenue Commissioner Julie P. Magee, Assistant
Attorney General and Assistant Counsel Glen Powers, and agents of the Alabama
Department of Revenue.
*An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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501 Washington Avenue Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
