High-paid Henderson firefighter indicted on tax charges

It will take more than a hydrant and hose to put this fire out.

Dwight C. Jackson, one of the Henderson Fire Department’s highest-paid employees, is accused of evading five years’ worth of income taxes, according to a federal indictment filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court.

“As government employees we are profoundly aware that our wages are paid through taxpayer dollars,” Las Vegas IRS Special Agent in Charge Paul Camacho said. “IRS Criminal Investigation will vigorously pursue any allegation of government employees willfully evading their tax obligation. All Americans have a duty to pay their fair share of taxes.”

Jackson was charged with evading his taxes from 2004-2008.

In 2009, Jackson was the 11th-highest paid city of Henderson employee with total compensation of $280,198.57, according to the TransparentNevada website.

Although he wasn’t charged for 2009, his compensation breaks down this way: $69,962.68 in base pay, $52,984.69 in overtime, and the rest in benefits.

In 2008, Jackson received $127,953.16 in total pay, according to the website.

At a time when many Nevadans are scratching to survive, perhaps the only thing more embittering than a high-paid government employee is one who shirks his tax duty.