Motion to Dismiss IGT Tax Fraud Case Filed

LOS ANGELES – As reported by the Dow Jones: "The Nevada attorney general on Monday filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by an employee of International Game Technology (NYSE:IGT) who is accusing the company of tax fraud.

"The motion to dismiss, filed by Attorney General Brian Sandoval, says that a tax fraud case should be a matter for the state's department of taxation rather than the court system.

John Bartlett, the plaintiff's attorney, says he will press forward with the suit, despite the motion from the attorney general, who could have been a potentially influential ally in the plaintiff's case.

"…The suit against IGT was filed last February by James McAndrews, an employee now on administrative leave from IGT's accounting department who claimed that IGT avoided paying more than $20 million in state taxes. The case was filed under Nevada's False Claims Act, a whistleblower law that allows plaintiffs who file suits on behalf of the state to receive between 15% and 50% of any damages that are recovered.

"…IGT, which was formally served the case on Dec. 31, 2003, is currently facing a deadline this week to file its own response to the suit, which will most likely also be a motion to dismiss…"