St. Louis, MO – Gwendolyn Hampton was indicted on tax evasion charges involving the years 2009-2013. The indictment alleges that during those years she sought to evade $376,463 in tax.
According to the indictment, Hampton owned and operated Hampton Academy, LLC, a daycare center that provided childcare to low income families. Between January 2009 and December 2013, Hampton Academy collected $2,387,386 in revenue. During that time she took $1,338,549 in cash and cashier’s checks from the business. For years 2009 and 2011 she did not file a federal tax return. For the years 2010, 2012 and 2013, Hampton filed false returns understating her income and tax owed.
“CI’s largest enforcement program is directed at the portion of American taxpayers who willfully and intentionally violate their known legal duty of filing and paying their taxes,” said Karl Stiften, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation, St. Louis Field Office.
Hampton, St. Louis City, was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 4 on five felony counts of tax evasion. She was arrested earlier today and expected to appear in federal court this week.
If convicted, each count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or fines up to $100,000. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Tom Albus is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.