James L. Santelle, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that Leah M. Kuchta (age: 42) of Mequon, Wisconsin, was sentenced June 5, 2013, to 33 months imprisonment by United States District Judge Charles N. Clevert. Kuchta was indicted by a federal grand jury on Aug. 14, 2012, and charged with six counts alleging tax related offenses.
On Dec. 13, 2012, she pleaded guilty to two counts. Specifically, Kuchta pled guilty to evading $234,836 of federal income tax due and owing on $728,276 of unreported income for tax year 2005. She also pled guilty to filing a false claim for a $76,165 refund, also for the tax year 2005.
The case stemmed from an IRS investigation seeking a wage verification related to the refund claim. During the course of the investigation the IRS determined that Kuchta had embezzled approximately $900,000 from a trust established for the benefit of her grandmother, and had pocketed $30,000 from a fraudulent loan on her sister’s home. Failure to report her illegal income resulted in the evasion charge.
In sentencing Kuchta, Judge Clevert noted the widespread nature of Kuchta’s fraudulent conduct. In addition to the 33 months, Kuchta will serve a period of 3 years supervision after her release from imprisonment. She also is responsible for paying the tax due, and refunding the fraudulent refunds received, in the amount of $324,397. IRS interest and penalties will bring the total amount due to over $778,000.
United States Attorney James L. Santelle commended special agents from the IRS Criminal Investigation for their excellent and detailed investigation which resulted in this prosecution. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul L. Kanter. # #
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
