DeBlasio Cooked the Books, Now Faces Five Years

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Donald J. DeBlasio, owner of DeBlasio’s restaurant, is facing a potential five-year prison sentence after admitting in federal court today to deliberately dodging his tax obligations. The Presto, Pa. resident pleaded guilty to one count of federal income tax evasion before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.

The feds say DeBlasio wasn’t just short on cash – he was actively concealing it. Court documents revealed a systematic pattern of “skimming” cash receipts from his restaurant’s daily sales. This wasn’t a simple accounting error; it was a calculated scheme to underreport income and avoid paying what he owed.

Over a three-year period, from 2007 to 2009, DeBlasio filed false personal, corporate, and payroll tax returns, effectively robbing the U.S. Treasury of $341,128.62. That’s a hefty sum, and the IRS’s Criminal Investigation division wasn’t about to let it slide. They built the case that ultimately led to DeBlasio’s guilty plea.

Judge Cercone has set sentencing for 11 a.m. on December 3, 2013. While the law allows for a maximum sentence of five years behind bars and a $250,000 fine, the final decision will rest on the seriousness of the crime and DeBlasio’s prior criminal record, if any. Don’t expect a light sentence; the feds rarely show mercy to those who cheat the system.

Despite the guilty plea, DeBlasio was released on bond pending sentencing, giving him a brief reprieve before facing the consequences of his actions. Assistant United States Attorney Leo M. Dillon is handling the prosecution, ensuring that DeBlasio is held accountable for his financial misdeeds.

This case serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly local businesses aren’t immune to federal scrutiny. The IRS takes tax evasion seriously, and those who attempt to defraud the government will ultimately face the full weight of the law. DeBlasio’s attempt to pad his pockets at the expense of taxpayers has backfired spectacularly, and he’ll soon learn that crime doesn’t pay.