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'Federal accountants, for example, perform work that has more complexity and requires more skill than accounting work in the private sector'

March 15, 2010

Yes, it's hard being an IRS agent. Just ask IRS Agent Mark E. Hunt:

An Internal Revenue Service officer and three other Maryland men have been accused of running a $1.2 million tax evasion scheme, according to an indictment unsealed in federal court in Greenbelt.

Potomac attorney Irvin Catlett allegedly orchestrated the scheme. The indictment says he paid IRS Revenue Officer Mark E. Hunt to provide taxpayer information and pose as Catlett's "man on the inside" to convince clients that Catlett's tax shelter scheme was safe from prosecution.

The taxpayers naturally trusted Mr. Hunt because government employees are worth more -- just ask the head of the Treasury Empoyees union.

The hard work allegedly took a terrible toll on Mr. Hunt:

Hunt, prosecutors said, would display his IRS credentials during meetings with clients to assure them that he was an IRS employee who could protect them from the "inside."
Catlett has been charged with fraud, obstructing IRS laws, and 10 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns. He faces up to 38 years in prison. Hunt faces up to 13 years in prison for fraud and lying to an IRS investigator when he allegedly denied accessing a taxpayer's account other than for official business. Cullum and Unterreiner face up to five years in prison on fraud charges.

Well, the threat of 13 years in prison would make most people want higher salary and benefits.