Kenneth L. Richardson, 50, of Nashville, Tennessee, was sentenced on Sept. 23, 2013, to 6 months in prison and ordered to pay $269,391.96 in restitution to the IRS for filing a false federal income tax return for tax year 2004 and for willfully failing to file a federal income tax return for tax year 2005, announced David Rivera, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. Richardson was also sentenced to six months of home confinement to be served during one year of supervised release following the term of imprisonment.
At sentencing, the Court noted the seriousness of the offenses but cited mitigating factors in support of its decision.
Richardson pleaded guilty in September, 2012, pursuant to a plea agreement. According to the plea agreement, Richardson owned and operated Skyy Bonding Company in Nashville, Tennessee and was also employed as a pastor at St. Marks Church in Nashville. He received income from his bail bonding business and from his employment as a pastor during the tax years 2004 through 2007.
Richardson and his wife earned at least $248,174 in adjusted gross income during tax year 2004. In November 2005 Richardson filed a false Form 1040, indicating that their adjusted gross income for tax year 2004 was only $52,714.
During tax year 2005, the Richardson’s earned at least $291,174 in adjusted gross income and were therefore required to file a federal income tax return for that tax year. Richardson, however, willfully failed to file a return during the time required by law.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service- Criminal Investigation. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn B. Ward.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
