Eight Family Members Indicted on Income Tax Fraud Charges

(Phoenix, Ariz. – Sept. 27, 2007) Attorney General Terry Goddard and Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) Director Gale Garriott today announced that the State Grand Jury has returned a 136-count indictment against eight defendants on charges related to income tax fraud.

The indictments are the result of a two-and-a-half year investigation conducted by ADOR criminal investigators that found evidence of tax fraud committed by the owners and employees of Accountable Business Services in Gilbert. According to investigators, for more than six years Alfred G. Decker and his wife, Cheryl Decker, as well as six other members of their family, prepared false income tax returns and forged mortgage documents as part of tax filings submitted to the Arizona Department of Revenue. The fraud resulted in a loss of more than $10 million to the State of Arizona.

“I am proud of the partnership between my Office and the Department of Revenue,” Goddard said. “We are working hard to identify and prosecute tax preparers who defraud Arizona taxpayers.”

“This case is particularly egregious because of the number of fraudulent returns that were filed.” Garriott said. “Alfred G. Decker has been in the return preparation business for many years and has many clients. We are actively pursuing fraudulent tax professionals.”

The State Grand Jury returned the following indictments:

  • Alfred George Decker, 58, of Gilbert, was indicted on one count of fraud, one count of conducting an enterprise, five counts of forgery and 47 counts of fraudulent preparation of an income tax return. If convicted, he faces up to 46.5 years in prison.
  • Cheryl Dee Decker, 55, of Gilbert, was indicted on one count of fraud, one count of conducting an enterprise and four counts of forgery. If convicted, she faces up to
  • 46.5 years in prison.
  • Elizabeth Ashleigh Dye (daughter), 31, of Mesa, was indicted on one count of fraud, one count of conducting an enterprise, 20 counts of forgery, 14 counts of fraudulent preparation of an income tax return and five counts of taking identity of another person. If convicted, she faces up to 39.5 years in prison.
  • Ryan Michael Nelson (son), 31, of Gilbert, was indicted on one count of fraud, one count of conducting an enterprise, five counts of forgery and four counts of fraudulent preparation of an income tax return. If convicted, he faces up to 39.5 years in prison.
  • Amanda Leslie Dustin (daughter), 29, of Mesa, was indicted on one count of fraud, one count of conducting an enterprise, eight counts of forgery, eight counts of fraudulent preparation of an income tax return and four counts of taking identity of another person. If convicted, she faces up to 39.5 years in prison.
  • Matthew Peter Decker (son), 28, of Gilbert, was indicted on one count of fraud, one count of conducting an enterprise, five counts of forgery, six counts of fraudulent preparation of an income tax return and two counts of taking identity of another person. If convicted, he faces up to 39.5 years in prison.
  • Benjamin Brian Runger (nephew), 29, of Chandler, was indicted on one count of fraud, one count of conducting an enterprise, seven counts of forgery, seven counts of fraudulent preparation of an income tax return and six counts of taking identity of another person. If convicted, he faces up to 39.5 years in prison.
  • Christopher James Decker (brother of Alfred Decker), 47, of Mesa, was indicted on one count of fraud, one count of conducting an enterprise, three counts of forgery and two counts of fraudulent preparation of an income tax return. If convicted, he faces up to 39.5 years in prison.

Assistant Attorney General Philip Garrow is prosecuting this case.

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