A federal trial has started for a former certified public accountant facing tax-related charges in Mississippi.

News outlets reported the trial of 73-year-old Carl Nicholson started Monday in Hattiesburg.

Nicholson could be sentenced to up to 35 years in prison and fined nearly $3 million if he’s convicted on all charges.

He’s charged with conspiracy to defraud the government, four counts of making a false statement on income tax returns and six counts of willfully aiding and assisting the preparation of false tax returns.

Federal prosecutors say Nicholson reported false income amounts for himself as well as falsifying expenses related to Forrest General Hospital.

He’s also accused of making false statements about rental income expenses.
Nicholson is also charged with helping prepare false returns for a couple.