Former state Rep. Jeanette Jamieson on Friday pleaded guilty to two counts of tax evasion and was sentenced as a first offender, which could allow her to be conviction-free in two years.
Jamieson, 69, a Toccoa Democrat and a former accountant and tax preparer, was indicted in 2009. She was charged with failing to pay her state income taxes in 2006 and 2007, despite earning more than $127,000 in 2006 and $61,000 in 2007.
Under terms of the plea, Jamieson was sentenced to two years on probation. She must pay $15,425 in back taxes, interest and penalties within 60 days, refrain from preparing taxes for anyone while on probation and file her state taxes for 2006 and 2007.
"I'm pleased to have this case resolved," Jamieson said after entering her plea before Fulton County Superior Court Judge Michael D. Johnson.
Her lawyer, Dan Summer, said he expects Jamieson to successfully fulfill the requirements of her probation. Because she was sentenced under the First Offender Act, Summer said, Jamieson should have no conviction for a felony or misdemeanor when her probationary term is completed.
"We closed this case in a manner to resolve it without any convictions and to allow her to move on with her life," Summer said.
Gregory Lohmeier, an assistant state attorney general, objected to Jamieson receiving first-offender treatment and recommended that she receive five years' probation.
But Johnson, on his final day on the Fulton bench, noted the offense did not involve a crime of violence and agreed to Summer's recommendations.
Jamieson was defeated in her 2008 re-election bid amid disclosures she had tax problems. She spent 24 years in the state Legislature, including service as a member of the committee that writes tax legislation.
In early 2008, the state Revenue Department hit Jamieson with a tax lien, which she got lifted after paying more than $45,000 in back taxes, interest and penalties for the tax years 1998 through 2005. On Friday, Lohmeier told Johnson that Jamieson had filed her state tax returns in recent years.
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