United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger today announced the sentencing of JAMES FRANCIS VOLIN, 65, of Inver Grove Heights, to 24 months in prison for hiding income from used car sales from the Internal Revenue Service for two years. VOLIN was indicted on May 21, 2014 and pleaded guilty to Income Tax Evasion on Nov. 18, 2014. He was sentenced on Aug. 13, 2015, before Senior Judge Michael J. Davis in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minn.
“Taxpayers thinking about participating in fraudulent tax schemes, including failing to report all forms of income, should stop in their tracks and simply look at the consequences of taking the next step," stated Special Agent in Charge Shea Jones of the IRS Criminal Investigation. “To build faith in our nation’s tax system, honest taxpayers need to be reassured that everyone is paying their fair share. Today’s sentencing of Mr. Volin shows how seriously the courts take federal tax crimes."
According to his guilty plea and documents filed in court, in 2008 VOLIN agreed to pay nearly $100,000 in outstanding taxes to the IRS. VOLIN still owed the taxes in 2012 and 2013 when he was operating an unlicensed and illegal used car dealership which generated substantial income in cash. Instead of paying the back taxes as agreed, VOLIN hid the income. VOLIN admitted that he did not report the cash income or file tax returns and that he put money into cashier’s checks and used bank accounts opened under another’s name and social security number to avoid detection.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigations and the Minnesota State Patrol Vehicle Crimes Unit.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert Lewis.
Defendant Information:
JAMES FRANCIS VOLIN, 65
Inver Grove Heights, MN
Convicted:
* Income Tax Evasion, 1 count
Sentenced:
* 24 months in prison
* $96,599.76 in restitution
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
