St. Louis, MO - Joseph Thomas, 62, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty to two counts of filing false tax returns. Thomas appeared today before U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh, Jr. who accepted his plea and set his sentencing date for May 9, 2019.
In his plea, Thomas admitted that, on April 22, 2012, he filed a false 2011 United States Form 1040 which understated his income by more than $25,000 and his tax due and owing by more than $10,000. Thomas further admitted that, on May 1, 2013, he filed a false 2012 United States Form 1040 which understated his income by more than $125,000 and his tax due and owing by more than $40,000.
“Taxpayers thinking about cheating on their tax returns should stop and look at the consequences of taking the next step," said Karl Stiften, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation. “Those consequences can include going to prison, being branded a convicted felon, and paying back all the taxes owed plus steep penalties and interest."
Thomas faces up to three years’ imprisonment per count, a fine of up to $250,000 per count or both imprisonment and a fine. In determining the actual sentence, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provides recommended sentencing ranges.
The case was investigated by the IRS - Criminal Investigations Office. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle T. Bateman is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
