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Mel Reynolds indicted for failing to file tax returns

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Illinois

^ From the US Attorney’s office…

Melvin Reynolds, 63, a former member of the United States House of Representatives, was indicted yesterday on federal charges alleging that he failed to file income tax returns for the years 2009 through 2012.

Reynolds will appear for his arraignment at a date yet to be determined by the U.S. District Court.

According to the indictment, Reynolds received gross income in each year in excess of the minimum amount required to file a tax return. As a result, he was required by law, by April 15 of the following year, to file an income tax return (Form 1040 and accompanying attachments). Reynolds willfully failed to file income tax returns for four consecutive years – 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Each count of failing to file a federal income tax return carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.

Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, announced the indictment with Stephen Boyd, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigative Division Chicago.

The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Barry Jonas and William E. Ridgway.

The public is reminded that an indictment contains merely 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.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:14 am

Comments

Mel Reynolds; multiple Lotto winner.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:16 am
This guy just doesn’t learn.

Comment by so... Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:17 am
But was he paying his taxes? Didn’t they charge Mayor Harold Washington (before he was Mayor) for not filing? Harold was paying his taxes, just didn’t file. I must say, though, this Mel Reynolds is a train wreck.

Comment by Anon Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:17 am
Had to google this gentleman. His Wikipedia page is worth 5 minutes of your time… Wow

Comment by Phenomynous Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:20 am
= Melvin Reynolds, 63, a former member of the United States House of Representatives, was indicted yesterday..=

How is his previous position relevant to the charges?

Comment by Dirty Red Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:23 am
I would’ve happily gone the rest of my life without hearing this guy’s name again.

Comment by Politix Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:23 am
How is his position relevant to the charges?

Well, there is that oath he swore to uphold the US Constitution and its laws…..

Comment by Slippin' Jimmy Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:28 am
I imagine they took a look at Mel based on whatever hustle he was trying to run in Zimbabwe to see if he was violating sanctions.

If I recall, Mel got sideways with the Mugabe dictatorship and was lucky to get out Harare with his head attached to his neck.

After that, you’ll take your chances with the IRS.

Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:32 am
“How is his previous position relevant to the charges?”

You’re new to all this aren’t you?

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:32 am
He just ran for office a couple years ago.. Did he really thing nobody would check to see if he filed his tax returns?

Comment by SAP Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:33 am
===Had to google this gentleman. His Wikipedia page is worth 5 minutes of your time… Wow===

Wow.

Comment by Anon Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:36 am
Wikipedia page - Yikes. Tough to be on a first name basis with the Fed.

Comment by Downstate Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:40 am
Is he trying to get a federal courtroom named after him?

A truly tragic story, which I have sadly followed since he finally knocked off Savage in ‘92.

Comment by Snucka Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:40 am
Well he does work for Jesse.

Comment by Rollo Tomasi Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:54 am
Not filing once is usually either a misstep or miscommunication between a party and his or her accountant.

Not filing four straight years is a pattern.

Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:56 am
ugh. that guy. Rhodes scholar. Yale, right? so you’d think he had some promise. and for a while it seemed he did. but for those who encountered him IRL, totally arrogant, always. recall him on the trail of a presidential campaign years before his elected life, and his infamous phrase to get where he wanted to or what he wanted was, “excuse me, but I don’t think you know who I am.” always a pain in the….

Comment by Amalia Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 10:05 am
Cage match.
Reynolds vs. Schock vs. Hastert vs. Ryan vs. Blagojevich vs. Jesse Jackson Jr.

They are like political zombies that never die!

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 10:07 am
Doesn’t he know about turbotax? Drop the $75 bucks, avoid the clink.

Comment by I just threw up a little bit in my mouth Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 10:22 am
Always wondered who those ads I hear on my satellite radio with Alan Thick were aimed at…

Now I know…

As for reading his wikipedia page, that congressional district has had a interesting parade of reps..

Gus Savage, Mel, JJ Jr.

Comment by OneMan Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 10:50 am
Laws are for the little people.

Comment by Sir Reel Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 11:28 am
== How is his previous position relevant to the charges? ==

The feds want the publicity that comes from name recognition. It’s free advertising in their “pay your taxes already” campaign.

Comment by Anon. Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 12:36 pm
= The feds want the publicity that comes from name recognition. It’s free advertising in their “pay your taxes already” campaign. =

That was my initial thought, and I still believe that to an extent. I also did a little digging, and found that KNOWINGLY not filing is a criminal offense. His being a former member of Congress would probably be a big part of the case proving he knew he had to file.

Comment by Dirty Red Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 12:46 pm
I guess I am impressed that he found a way to make a living. He was not the most competent politician/criminal to begin with.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 12:54 pm