A Greer couple has been sentenced for filing false tax returns, Anne M. Tompkins, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, announced in a statement.
Julie Greene Tucker, 52, received a 33-month prison sentence and three years of supervised release. Her husband, James Dean Tucker, 54, was sentenced to eight months of house arrest and five years’ probation.
The couple was ordered to pay $191,049 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service, in the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Mary G. Lewis. According to the statement, Julie Tucker also was ordered to pay $590,128 in restitution to her former employer.
The Tuckers pleaded guilty last November to two counts of filing false tax returns. Julie Tucker also pleaded guilty to wire fraud.
Tompkins’ statement read: "For approximately 15 months, the Tuckers used stolen money to fund a luxurious lifestyle way above their means. (The) sentence sends a clear message that my office will work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who break the law and to ensure the only rewards crooks get are stiff penalties and prison sentences.”
Julie Tucker was director of administration for Trendset. She embezzled money from the Greenville-based freight audit business, wiring money from the company’s bank accounts to herself and joint accounts with her husband who was formerly employed with the Department of Homeland Security, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Embezzled funds were not reported on joint tax returns from 2010 and 2011.
The embezzled money was used to buy a second home, luxury vehicles, throw a “lavish” Christmas party at a country club they joined, take vacations, and Julie Tucker spent more than $100,000 on jewelry, according to the statement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service and Department of Homeland Security – Office of the Inspector General investigated.