FBI Seeks Truck Drivers in Tax Fraud Probe
The FBI is asking truck drivers across the United States to come forward if they may have been victims of a tax fraud scheme tied to a Georgia bookkeeping firm.
Grand jury indictment targets Georgia tax preparer
Federal prosecutors this week returned a 54‑count indictment against Diane Marie Poe, 62, owner of Genuine Financial Services in Walton County, Georgia. The charging document lists 32 counts of bank fraud, 14 payroll‑related tax offenses, and additional charges for false corporate returns, bogus submissions and alleged theft from a government program. The indictment was filed on Aug. 12 and prosecutors have not set a court date for Poe.
Each bank fraud count carries a potential maximum sentence of 30 years, while the program‑theft charges could add up to 10 years per count. Other violations range from one to five years in prison, and the federal system does not provide parole.
According to the filing, Poe’s company offered bookkeeping, payroll management, and tax‑preparation services. Customers gave her firm money intended for estimated tax obligations or employee‑related assessments, but prosecutors allege Poe kept the funds instead of delivering the promised services.
Truck drivers may have been left with unpaid taxes
The indictment notes that many of Poe’s clients were self‑employed truck drivers who relied on her firm for essential filings. Word‑of‑mouth referrals helped expand the client base throughout the trucking industry, a sector where independent operators often outsource payroll and tax paperwork.
Investigators say some drivers may not know whether their filings were completed. Missing deposits or unfiled returns could leave them facing unexpected liabilities, sometimes long after they transferred money to Poe’s firm. The FBI says government notices may be the first indication that something went wrong for many of these drivers.
Authorities are urging anyone who hired Poe or used Genuine Financial Services to contact the FBI’s Atlanta field office at 770‑216‑3000. They specifically seek information from customers who suspect missing deposits or unfinished services.
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Local law‑enforcement agencies, including the Loganville Police Department and the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, assisted the federal investigation. The Walton County District Attorney’s Office also supported the probe, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Peach is representing the government.
While the indictment accuses Poe of failing to submit required returns for her own business and withholding employee payroll taxes, those allegations remain unproven until a court finds her guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Victims should act quickly.
For drivers, the practical impact is clear: if their payroll taxes were never forwarded to the IRS, they could receive notices for unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest that they never anticipated. This could affect their ability to obtain financing or maintain operating authority, especially for owner‑operators who depend on clean records.
The FBI’s nationwide effort reflects a broader concern that tax‑fraud schemes can ripple through the trucking community, where financial margins are already thin. By identifying additional victims, investigators hope to piece together the full scope of the alleged wrongdoing.
Next steps in the investigation
Federal agents continue to work with the IRS to track down any missing payments and to determine the extent of the alleged fraud. The investigation remains open, and officials have not indicated whether additional charges may be filed against other individuals.
While the case proceeds, the FBI emphasizes that Poe is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. The agency’s outreach to potential victims aims to gather facts, not to assign blame prematurely.
