Jacksonville Minister Pleads Guilty to Obstructing IRS Collection Efforts

Sentencing remains to be set following admissions about a backdated employment agreement used to understate income.

Overview

According to court documents, Brian Carn Jr. initially reported more than $1.4 million in 2015 income and over $600,000 in tax due, then amended the return after IRS liens and attempted levies to remove nearly $1.3 million.
To justify the change, he gave a new accountant a fictitious, backdated agreement stating a $120,000 salary and a $24,000 parsonage allowance.
Prosecutors say he continued filing underreported returns, stopped filing in 2020, and used ministry funds for personal expenses while operating entities including Healing House Ministries, Brian Carn Ministries, and Kingdom Culture City Churches.
The Justice Department estimates a tax loss between $550,000 and $1.5 million, and the obstruction charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison with a sentencing date pending.
IRS Criminal Investigation led the probe, and the DOJ Criminal Division’s Tax Section is prosecuting the case with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.