Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, July 10, 2025:
Truck driver pleads guilty for operation of ‘ghost’ tax prep business
A truck driver who operated a “ghost” tax preparation business on the side in Union City, Georgia, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to executing a mail fraud scheme to defraud the United States by making claims for refunds of false COVID-19 related employment tax credits.
According to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, Dantavious Jackson, 39, of Union City, Georgia, faces a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
As described in the plea agreement, Jackson owned and operated a trucking business in Union City, Georgia. On the side, Jackson also prepared tax forms for others for a fee.
Any individual who prepared and assisted in preparing federal tax returns for a fee was required to obtain a preparer identification number (PTIN) from the Internal Revenue Service. A paid preparer was required to place his or her PTIN on each tax return he or she prepared for a fee to identify the preparer of that return.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or CARES Act, enacted on March 27, 2020, provided for an employee retention credit (ERC), a refundable tax credit, which was designed to encourage businesses to keep employees on their payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ERC was claimed by an employer by filing an Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Returns (IRS Forms 941) with the IRS for the relevant quarter.
Between June 2022 and August 2023, Jackson executed a scheme to defraud the United States by preparing and filing 35 IRS Forms 941 for himself and two clients that falsely claimed they were entitled to receive $4,112,297 in tax refunds based on fraudulently claimed ERCs. The Forms 941 Jackson prepared and filed with IRS were false and fraudulent because they listed employees and wages that did not actually exist.
Jackson’s use of fake employees and wages to claim ERCs induced the U.S. Treasury to mail $1,567,855 in fraudulent tax refunds to himself and his clients.
Jackson prepared and filed the tax returns as a “ghost preparer,” meaning that he did not identify himself through a PTIN or by any other self-identifying information in the “Paid Preparer Use Only” section on the returns he filed for clients.
“Jackson’s guilty plea serves as a reminder to those who committed fraud on programs under the CARES Act that they will be held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation special agents are still opening cases and investigating those who stole funds that were intended for American workers, families, and small businesses.”
[Related: Fleet owner gets 23 years in federal prison for $158M Ponzi scheme]
Relay Payments now accepted at RaceTrac, RaceWay travel centers
Truck drivers using Relay Payments can now use the digital payments service at all RaceTrac and RaceWay truck-accessible locations. Relay is now available at all RaceTrac and RaceWay travel centers and high-flow diesel stores.
“As we gear up to open our 100th high-flow diesel location later this year, we are constantly looking for ways to make the lives of our professional drivers simpler,” said Nick Lafalce, marketing manager of B2B fleet & professional driver for RaceTrac. “Our partnership with Relay gives drivers a convenient, mobile-friendly way to pay.”
Relay’s digital fuel purchasing experience will provide truck drivers with additional options to pay at RaceTrac pumps, minimizing wait times and helping them get back out on the road quickly, RaceTrac said. Through the Relay mobile app, users can access fuel discounts, route planning tools and real-time pricing information.
“We’re excited to partner with RaceTrac to bring our secure, digital payment experience to RaceTrac's growing list of high-speed diesel locations,” said Ryan Droege, CEO and co-founder of Relay Payments. “This collaboration reflects our continued commitment to modernizing the trucking industry with fast, reliable and fraud-free payments."
Relay users can download the RaceTrac Rewards loyalty app for exclusive professional driver perks. Likewise, participating RaceTrac locations have been added to the Relay mobile app to make finding cost-effective fuel locations with the amenities needed for each stop that much easier.
[Related: Relay Payments expands into truck service]
FMCSA provisionally renews exemption for Virginia
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles has received a provisional renewal from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that allows truck and bus drivers who are licensed in Virginia and need a Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMV) in interstate commerce.
The exemption enables interstate CMV drivers who are licensed in Virginia and are subject to the federal SPE certificate requirements to continue to fulfill the federal requirements with a state-issued SPE certificate that qualifies such drivers to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.
Commercial drivers who are otherwise qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle but are not physically qualified to drive under 49 CFR 391.49(b)(1) or (2) because of a loss or impairment of limbs can drive a CMV if FMCSA has granted an SPE certificate to that person.
A 2014 exemption granted to the Virginia DMV allows Virginia-licensed drivers subject to the federal SPE certificate requirements to fulfill the federal requirements with a state-issued SPE certificate. The exemption has been renewed several times since it was initially granted, and the most recent extension expired on July 7.
With the provisional renewal, the exemption is now in effect for the next six months. FMCSA is also accepting comments on a request to fully renew the exemption. Those comments can be filed here through Aug. 6. After a review of the public comments, FMCSA will issue a decision on whether the exemption should be renewed through July 3030.
[Related: Trucking Law: Severe physical setback might not end career]
