North Charleston Man Indicted for Tax Fraud
Columbia, SC – A federal grand jury in Charleston, South Carolina, has returned an indictment against Benjamin Bligen, 40, of North Charleston, for allegedly committing tax fraud. According to the indictment, Bligen is charged with one count of fraudulent tax return preparation, a violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206.
The maximum penalty Bligen could face is 3 years imprisonment. The case was investigated by agents of the Internal Revenue Service and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office for prosecution.
Bligen is the first of four defendants to be charged in federal indictments announced by United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon today. The other defendants include a Mexican national, a North Charleston woman, and a Walterboro man.
In a separate case, Jose Prado-Palma, 40, of Mexico, was charged with the illegal reentry of a removed alien, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326. The maximum penalty Prado-Palma could face is 2 years imprisonment.
Regina Fludd, 35, of North Charleston, was charged with theft of mail by a postal employee, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1709. The maximum sentence Fludd could face is 5 years imprisonment.
Quentin John Fishburne, 37, of Walterboro, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §922(g). The maximum penalty Fishburne could face is 10 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.
Quinton Allen Manigault, 30, of Wando, was charged with armed bank robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. The maximum penalty Manigault could face is life in prison and a fine of $250,000.
The United States Attorney stated that all charges in indictments are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Indictment Charges
– Benjamin Bligen: 1 count of fraudulent tax return preparation, maximum penalty 3 years imprisonment
– Jose Prado-Palma: 1 count of illegal reentry of a removed alien, maximum penalty 2 years imprisonment
– Regina Fludd: 1 count of theft of mail by a postal employee, maximum penalty 5 years imprisonment
– Quentin John Fishburne: 1 count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, maximum penalty 10 years imprisonment and $250,000 fine
– Quinton Allen Manigault: 2 counts of armed bank robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, maximum penalty life in prison and $250,000 fine
Related Federal Cases
- Anderson Woman Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud · South Carolina
- Ricky Costello Williams Sentenced in Tax Fraud Scheme · North Carolina
- Willie May Ford Gets 51 Months for Tax Fraud Scheme · Alabama
- North Charleston Gun & Drug Sweep Nets 21 · South Carolina
- Union Tax Prep Scammer Sentenced to 2 Years for $200k Fraud · South Carolina
Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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