Two Charleston residents convicted of tax fraud conspiracy

PEORIA – A federal jury found two Charleston residents guilty of tax fraud conspiracy earlier this week. Kenton W. Tylman and Debra J. Hills, both of Charleston, and Brent A. Winters, of California, were accused of hiding nearly $7.3 million in income from the Internal Revenue Service through the sale of sham trusts and financial packages. According to government evidence, Tylman began selling "trusts" and related financial arrangements for the Aegis Company in Palos Hills in 1995. In 1998, Hills joined Tylman in the sale and promotion of the "trusts." During 1999 and 2000, Tylman and Hills sold the packages using the business names of Worldwide Financial Services and Worldwide Financial and Legal Association. Buyers were charged as much as $40,000 for the services. Tylman and Hills received a percentage of the purchase price... [read full story]