Carlos Gonzalez, Tax Fraud, Arkansas 2023

Rogers Man Sentenced for Tax Fraud

In a shocking case of tax evasion, Carlos Gonzalez, 59, of Rogers, Arkansas, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for filing a false individual income tax return.

According to court documents, Gonzalez, the owner of Charley’s Tree Service, underreported the gross receipts from his tree-trimming and removal business. Between 2014 and 2020, he cashed over $3 million in customer checks instead of depositing them into his business’ bank account, with full knowledge that his return preparer relied on the bank account records when preparing his returns.

Gonzalez’s deception resulted in a tax loss to the IRS of more than $900,000. His return preparer, unaware of the cashed checks, prepared tax returns that significantly underreported his business’ gross receipts.

Gonzalez’s sentence is a stark reminder of the consequences of tax evasion. In addition to his prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Brooks ordered Gonzalez to serve one year of supervised release and pay approximately $1.4 million in restitution to the United States and the State of Arkansas.

The case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation division and prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Curtis Weidler and Wilson Stamm of the Tax Division, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly Marshall for the Western District of Arkansas.

The sentencing of Carlos Gonzalez serves as a warning to all those who would attempt to cheat the system. The IRS will continue to crack down on tax evasion, and those found guilty will face severe consequences.

Gonzalez’s actions were a brazen attempt to evade his tax responsibilities. His sentence is a testament to the importance of honesty and transparency in all financial dealings.

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