Tax evasion nets federal prison term

FAYETTEVILLE — A Springdale woman was sentenced Tuesday to federal prison and ordered to pay more than $500,000 restitution for tax evasion.

Gini Driskell, 49, of Springdale was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release on one count of tax evasion. In addition, restitution was ordered in the amount of $592,198.

Driskell was employed from 2002 through February 2011 as a certified public accountant at Frost PLLC in Little Rock, according to court records. On April 15, 2002, Driskell formed a legal entity with the title of “Gini L. Vannes, PA” and directed her compensation from Frost to be paid to the entity.

By forming the entity and directing her compensation be paid directly to it, Driskell concealed her income from the IRS because Frost didn’t have a reporting requirement to the IRS that would indicate the amount paid to the legal entity of “Gini L. Vanness, PA.” That enabled Driskell to receive income without it being reported to the IRS.

Driskell was paid more than $1.6 million during the time she was employed with Frost. Driskell didn’t report any of the income to the IRS on her tax returns.

“Today’s sentencing again emphasizes the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Attorney’s office will continue their aggressive pursuit of those who use fraudulent methods in an attempt to corrupt our nation’s tax system.” said Tracey D. Montaño, special agent in charge of the IRS. “This sentence should send a clear message; schemes to evade the payment of taxes are a violation of the federal tax laws and the consequences of such schemes can and will result in jail time.”

Driskell pleaded guilty in April 2017.

Judge Robert T. Dawson presided over the sentencing hearing. The investigation was done by IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes prosecuted the case.