MONTEZUMA - Federal authorities have seized documents from a Macon County man suspected of defrauding elderly blacks by charging them a fee to pursue tax credits and other phony reparations from the U.S. Treasury. <br>
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Agents with the Treasury Department, U.S. Postal Service, Georgia State Patrol and Montezuma police confiscated computers, files, pamphlets and other materials today from the National Resource Information Center in Montezuma. <br>
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The center is operated by Morris James Senior, brother of state Representative Lynmore James, a Democrat from Montezuma. <br>
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Morris James was named in an affidavit filed in federal court in Macon to secure a search warrant. He has not been charged with a crime. <br>
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The center claims to sell information to promote education, growth and success and to help enhance communities. Its telephone number has been disconnected. <br>
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The affidavit said Treasury investigators suspect James led people to believe they are entitled to money from the U.S. Treasury because of a legal action called the Black Farmers Class Action lawsuit. <br>
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Court documents say people were also led to believe they are entitled to refunds of tax payments based on a Black Tax Rebellion, Black Heritage Tax or a Black Inheritance Tax credit. None of those is a legitimate program of the U.S. government. <br>
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James told the Americus-Times Recorder Thursday that the investigation was retaliation for his gubernatorial campaign and protests against local banks' lending practices.
