Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty
July 23, 2011
A former Alabama tax preparer pleaded guilty Friday afternoon to what was described as a systematic schedule to file thousands of false tax returns and defraud the government of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Alice Mobley pleaded guilty to conspiracy, tax perjury, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. She is expected to receive from 8 to 14 years in federal prison according to sentencing guidelines.
She will be sentenced in October under a plea agreement that calls for her to forfeit $593,949, including $309,341 in cash seized during federal raids in March 2010 along with several vehicles.
Mobley was scheduled to plead guilty in federal court two weeks ago but changed her mind before deciding again to make Friday’s guilty plea.
Federal agents raided Mobley’s Preyear’s Tax & Check Cashing, LLC on Ridgely Street in Atmore and other locations in March, 2010. Federal court documents show that FBI and IRS agents seized over $300,000, boxes of tax documents, computers, vehicles and even a stuffed teddy bear when they raided the businesses and Mobley’s Monroeville home.
Mobley’s scheme filed tax returns claiming some $68 million in tax refunds, largely for Earned Income Credit and other tax credits, according to the Department of Justice. Mobley would falsely claim various dependent credits, either charged her clients an extra fee for the using the false dependents or pocketing the extra funds herself.
Mobley also “split” dependents, using the identity of some children on one return to obtain Earned Income Credit, and on other returns to obtain Child Credit and Dependent Care Credits. Mobley’s firm also prepared returns which claimed business tax deductions for business which did not exist and farm tax deductions for clients who did not have farms, the DOJ said.
Overall, prosecutors believe Mobley pocketed somewhere under $1 million from the schemes.
Latina Locke, who worked at the business from 2009 to 2010,was indicted in late June 2011 on one charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States. She pleaded guilty recently and faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
According to court documents, Mobley instructed Locke to create false dependents on tax forms in order to claim exemptions and tax breaks. The plea agreement states Locke would use a Post-it Note and write down the number of dependents the client wanted to purchase and attach it to the tax form. Once in Mobley’s hands, she would add the dependents before filing the form with the IRS, according to the plea deal.
Pictured above: A federal agent enters Preyear’s Tax & Check Cashing, LLC in Atmore March 4, 2010. Pictured inset: Agents search a vehicle at the business. Pictured below: A federal agent and an Atmore Police officer talk to an employee of the business during the raid. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Century Man Busted For Crack, Marijuana And Pills
July 23, 2011
A Century man is facing drug charges after deputies allegedly caught him with crack, marijuana and Xanax on a Century street.
When an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Unit Deputy turned on Jefferson Avenue near Pond Street Thursday night, he observed a group of males including 37-year old Jeffery Jay standing outside a fence. Deputies said they saw Jay place items behind the fence, and that’s where they located a quantity of pills and crack cocaine. They also reported finding marijuana in Jay’s pants pocket.
According to an arrest report, Jay told deputies that the pills — later identified as Xanax — were given to him by a friend for pain, and all of the narcotics were for his own personal use.
Jay was booked into the Escambia County Jail on felony charges of possessing a controlled substance without a prescription and cocaine possession, and a misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession. Jay was released on $2,100 bond.
Savage Prefiles For Century Council Seat
July 23, 2011
Annie Carter Savage prefiled Friday afternoon to seek election to Seat 2 on the Century Town Council.
The seat was held by Councilwoman Nadine McCaw until her death on July 7. On July 18, the Century Town Council voted unanimously to appoint Savage to fill the post until the end of McCaw’s term which ends in early January of 2012. Savage will be sworn at the council’s next regular meeting on August 1.
Last year, Savage ran an unsuccessful campaign for Seat 5, defeated by current council member Sandra McMurray Jackson.
The Seat 2 position will appear on Century’s October ballot with the newly elected council member taking office in January 2012.
Unemployment On The Rise In 3-County Area
July 23, 2011
The latest job numbers released Friday was bad news for the three counties in the North Escambia area, with unemployment rates up sharply.
Escambia County’s unemployment jumped back into the double digits — from 9.9 in May to 10.5 percent in June. There were 1,045 jobs lost, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 14,950 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 10.7 percent.
Santa Rosa County a full percentage point increase— from 8.7 percent in May to 9.7 percent in June. Santa Rosa County lost 810jobs during the period, with a total of 7,030 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 9.6 percent.
Escambia County, Alabama, had over a one percent jump in unemployment — from 11.2 percent in May to 12.4 percent in June. Escambia, Alabama, lost 22 jobs during the month-long period, with 1,875 people out of work.
Florida
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in June 2011 is 10.6 percent. This represents 982,000 jobless out of a labor force of 9,234,000. The state’s unemployment rate is unchanged from May 2011 but is 0.8 percentage point lower than the June 2010 rate of 11.4 percent. The U.S. unemployment rate is 9.2 percent in June.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted total nonagricultural employment in June 2011 is 7,247,000, an increase of 4,300 jobs (+0.1 percent) from May 2011. Florida has gained 85,500 jobs from January through June 2011.
“While Florida’s continued pattern of job growth is good news, we still have much work to do to restore our state’s economy to pre-recession levels, and that effort remains our highest priority,” said Agency for Workforce Innovation Director Cynthia R. Lorenzo. “Under Governor Scott’s leadership and through Florida’s nationally recognized workforce services, we are committed to ensuring our employers and potential employers have the support they need to succeed and create the jobs that will continue Florida’s forward momentum.”
Alabama
Alabama’s June 2011 unemployment rate rose to 9.9%, up from May’s rate of 9.6% and the 9.3% recorded a year ago. June’s rate represents 213,975 unemployed persons, compared to 206,578 last month and 197,780 in June 2010.
“While we are disappointed to report any increase in our seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, we keep in mind the contributing factors that led us here,” said Alabama Department of Industrial Relations Director Tom Surtees. “We still have hundreds of Alabamians unemployed as a direct result of the tornadoes of last April and the national unemployment rate also continues to rise. On the positive side, we have observed an uptick in the number of discouraged workers re-entering the job market in their employment search. There are over 33,000 more Alabamians working in June than in January, but during this same period over 50,000 came into the workforce. ”
Scattered Showers Sunday
July 23, 2011
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Wednesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Friday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Chemstand, Solutia, Monsanto, Ascend Retirees To Hold Reunion
July 23, 2011
Retirees from Chemstrand, Monsanto, Solutia and Ascend Performance Materials will hold a reunion on August 13.
The reunion will take place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Marcus Point Baptist Church at 6205 North W Street.
Hundreds of retirees and their guests are expected to attend the event. A lunch with fried fish or pulled pork will be available for $8. For a lunch reservation, mail a check to Sherry Smith at PMB 133, 40 West Nine Mile Road No. 2, Pensacola, FL 3253 by August 1. There will also be door prizes, including six prizes of $50 and one grand prize of $500.
For more information, contact Seldon Pierce at (850) 968-9344 or Sherry Smith at (850) 478-7330.
Man Faces 5 Years For Burger King Robbery
July 23, 2011
An Escambia County man has been convicted of robbing a Pensacola Boulevard Burger King and now faces at least five years in prison.
Anthony Ladell Wright, 26, was convicted of attempted robbery and battery by an Escambia County jury for the January 2, 2011, robbery of the restaurant. Wright entered the Burger King and attacked the manger, holding her down while he rummaged through the office looking for money, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins. Another employee intervened pulling Wright off of the manager, and Wright fled the restaurant after the alarm was pressed. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded and was unable to locate Wright that day; however, the manager was able to pick him out of a photo lineup and he was later arrested.
At the time of the robbery, Wright was on bond for burglary of a dwelling. He has since been convicted on that charge and is currently serving a prison sentence of 18 months.
A sentencing date for Wright has not yet been set. He faces a minimum mandatory sentence of five years.
Northern Santa Rosa Comm. Salter Receives National Defense Award
July 23, 2011
Santa Rosa County District 3 Commissioner Don Salter, who represents most of the northern portion of the county, has received a national defense award.
Salter was selected as the recipient of the Association of Defense Communities’ 2011 Defense Community Award- Active Base Community Leader.
The ADC Awards Program is a unique national program which recognizes outstanding quality projects and initiatives in communities with active and realigning or closing installations, the individuals that lead them and members from the military and private sector and recognizes outstanding achievements in the field. The program recognizes innovative plans and projects, distinguished public officials and lay contributors, and ADC members. The program is the centerpiece of ADC’s efforts to identify and promote best practices.
According to the ADC, Commissioner Salter was selected for the Active Base Community Leadership Award in recognition of his long-standing efforts in support of Northwest Florida’s military. Under his guidance, he has helped to protect Naval Air Station Whiting Field from encroachment while strengthening ties among the region’s installations, local leaders and businesses for more than 20 years.
Weekend Gardening: Seeing Spots On Your Crape Myrtles Can Be A Problem
July 23, 2011
As the heat and humidity increases in Northwest Florida, expect to see some diseases appear in the landscape. One problem that is popping up on crape myrtles is Cercospora leaf spot. While not a deadly problem, it can greatly detract from the beauty of crape myrtles.
The initial symptom on crape myrtles is the appearance of tan to dark brown spots randomly scattered on yellow to red discolored leaves. The spots develop first on the lower leaves and progress upward in the canopy. Spots will continue to develop from mid-summer through fall. The color change is due to the production of a toxin by the fungal pathogen.
Infected leaves will drop prematurely and serve as a source to spread the pathogen causing further disease development. As the summer progresses, many infected trees will have dropped all but the newest leaves.
Older varieties of crape myrtles are more susceptible to this disease than newer varieties. The crape myrtle varieties most tolerant to Cercospora leaf spot are Natchez, Muskogee, Basham’s Party Pink, Sioux and Tonto.
Long term, this disease is not detrimental to a tree, although it will slow down growth on younger plants. Plants growing in conditions that are not ideal will be more affected by the leaf spot disease.
The best control is selecting a planting site with good air circulation so that the foliage will dry quickly. Thinning interior branches will also promote air flow.
The use of fungicides to control this disease has not been very effective because they would have to be applied repeatedly on a regular basis throughout the growing season. If used, fungicide applications should be started in early summer when the spots are first noticed and continued at one to two week intervals when the weather is warm and wet. Consult your local Extension office for fungicide recommendations.
As always, be sure to read and follow all label directions. Fungicides can be classified by how they work on the fungus or how they work on the plant. Products that work in a similar way on fungi have the same mode of action (also referred to as chemical family or class).
Contact fungicides are sprayed onto plants and act as a protective barrier from pathogen infection. They prevent infections from occurring when applied before symptoms are visible, but infections that have already occurred will continue to develop.
Systemic fungicides move into the plant, but movement inside the plant is limited. The vast majority of fungicides only move upward in the plant vasculature, but not down. Some fungicides only move locally into the plant part treated. Some systemic products exhibit curative action, which means the disease is stopped during its development. For managing fungicide resistance, products with different modes of action should be used in rotations.
Since this disease will result in early defoliation or the loss of leaves, it is critical to practice good sanitation. Raking and destroying fallen leaves should be a routine practice in order to prevent the spread of the disease.
For more information, contact Theresa Friday at 850-623-3868 or email tlfriday@ufl.edu. Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Flood Advisory Issued For Escambia And Santa Rosa
July 22, 2011
The National Weather Service in Mobile has issued an urban and small stream flood advisory for Escambia County and western Santa Rosa County.
At 11:04 a.m., National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated a series of showers and thunderstorms moving northward at 5 to 10 mph over the advisory area. These showers and thunderstorms have produced 2 to 4 inches of rainfall locally over the past couple of hours and an additional rainfall of 2 to 3 inches is possible through early afternoon.
This will result in minor flooding of poor drainage and low lying areas and ponding of water on roadways.