Lisa Gordon-Scruggs, False Tax Return, Mississippi 2023

Gulfport, Miss – In a shocking case of financial deceit, Lisa Gordon-Scruggs, 53, of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, was sentenced to 36 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release, for filing a false tax return, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst.

Gordon-Scruggs, the Chief Operating Officer and office manager of Highside Chemicals, Inc. in Gulfport, Mississippi, during the investigative period, from 2013 through 2018, embezzled over $2 million, which she funneled into accounts she owned, and used to pay off credit cards in her name and a family member.

According to the Internal Revenue Service investigation, Gordon-Scruggs pled guilty to one count of knowingly filing a false income tax report for tax year 2014 when she reported taxable income of $34,907, but did not include the $446,423 she had embezzled from Highside that year.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Meynardie.

Gordon-Scruggs was ordered to pay restitution of $593,379.42 to the Internal Revenue Service.

This egregious case serves as a reminder of the consequences of financial crimes and the importance of transparency in business dealings.

The defendant's actions not only damaged her employer but also cheated the government out of much-needed revenue.

Gordon-Scruggs' sentence reflects the severity of her crimes and serves as a warning to others who would engage in similar behavior.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdms/pr/ocean-springs-woman-sentenced-3-years-federal-prison-knowingly-filing-false-tax-return