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TRENTON – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) announced today that a Sussex County, New Jersey, man was indicted for filing a fraudulent tax return in which he claimed a veteran’s exemption to which he was not entitled.
William Hayden, 58, of Branchville, New Jersey, is charged by indictment with one count of filing a fraudulent tax return (3rd degree).
“Our tax system relies on everyone filing a true and accurate tax return,” said Attorney General Platkin. “Fraudulently claiming an exemption reserved for military veterans is something we will not tolerate.”
“Attempting to avoid payment of taxes by fraudulently claiming veterans’ status is a violation of our tax laws that cannot go unpunished,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton.
According to documents filed in this case, on July 14, 2020, Hayden allegedly filed, prepared, or caused to be filed a fraudulent tax return with the intent to evade, avoid, or otherwise not pay taxes. Hayden allegedly assisted his wife in the preparation of their New Jersey Gross Income Tax Return for the tax year ending December 31, 2019, on which the box “Spouse/CU Partner Veteran” was falsely marked indicating that William Hayden was a veteran. Hayden is not, in fact, a veteran. As a result, Hayden received a $6,000 exemption to which he was not entitled, resulting in the avoidance of approximately $382 in taxes.
Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
Deputy Attorney General Christopher Scerbo is prosecuting the case for DCJ.
The charge and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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