ER DOCTOR RECEIVES SENTENCE FOR FAILURE TO FILE TAX RETURNS

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT  
Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Emergency Room Doctor Sentenced for Failure to File Tax Returns
Dr. Michael Austin, 57, of Atlanta, Ga., was sentenced today to serve one year and one day in federal prison for willfully failing to file individual income tax returns for tax years 2008 and 2009, announced Assistant Attorney General Kathryn Keneally of the Justice Department's Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Michael J. Moore for the Middle District of Georgia.  Austin was further ordered to serve one year of supervised release and to pay restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  Austin previously pleaded guilty to these charges on Aug. 27, 2013.

According to documents filed in court, during 2008 and 2009, Austin was a medical doctor licensed by the state of Georgia who earned substantial income from practicing of medicine at various hospitals, clinics and other health care institutions.  As alleged in the case, Austin earned at least $213,931 in 2008 and $210,644 in 2009, which required him to file an income tax return with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  Nonetheless, as Austin admitted in his plea agreement, he willfully failed to file an individual income tax return for both years.  In total, Dr. Austin agreed to pay restitution of at least $215,906.44 to the IRS.

This case was investigated by special agents of the IRS - Criminal Investigation.  Trial Attorney Hayden Brockett of the department's Tax Division prosecuted the case, with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia.