State rep gets probation in connection to false income tax statements

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI/WLBT) – A Mississippi state representative avoids jail time in connection with making false statements on an income tax return.

U.S. District Court Judge Carlton Reeves has sentenced District 67 Representative Earle Banks to two years of probation in the case.

Banks broke the law when he sold family land and failed to report it on his tax return.

Our statewide news partner WLBT in Jackson has reported that Federal agents also had evidence Banks underreported income on his business, Autumn Woods Memorial Gardens, for years.

However, he only pleaded guilty on one count.

Sentencing guidelines showed Banks should have received between eight and 14 months of probation.

Reeves said the additional time was added because Banks initially blamed someone else after getting caught.

The feds did not prove Banks profited from his position of public service.

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