A Florida Certified Public Accountant, Ronald St. Clair, pleaded guilty on April 8 to evading payment of more than $2.2 million in income tax liabilities from 2011 through 2017.
The case highlights efforts by authorities to address tax evasion and ensure compliance with federal tax laws.
According to court documents, St. Clair attempted to hide his assets from the Internal Revenue Service after accumulating significant tax debts. In 2020, after being notified by the IRS that it intended to levy his assets for unpaid taxes, St. Clair sold real property and transferred the proceeds into a bank account under a third party’s name. He then directed these funds for personal and business use while intentionally failing to disclose them as he sought a payment plan with the IRS.
St. Clair pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, along with restitution and monetary penalties. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date by a federal district court judge who will consider U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida and Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division made the announcement about the plea agreement.
The case is being investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick L. Darcey of the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorneys Marissa R. Brodney and Aaron I. Henricks from the Tax Section are prosecuting.
