Gregory Gumucio, Tax Evasion, New York 2020

Leader of Yoga to the People Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion in New York

Gregory Gumucio, the longtime leader of a prominent nationwide yoga business, Yoga to the People (“YTTP”), has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit tax evasion in New York.

Gumucio received more than $3.5 million in income between 2012 and 2020 from YTTP, yet he did not file individual or business tax returns or pay any income taxes for at least eight consecutive years.

According to the allegations contained in the Superseding Information, court filings, and statements made during court proceedings, Gumucio was the founder, principal owner, and functional chief executive officer of YTTP.

Gumucio used various methods to evade taxes, including accepting yoga students’ payments in cash, paying yoga teachers in cash and “off the books,” and failing to maintain a corporate headquarters or keep corporate books and records.

Gumucio, 63, of Colorado, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the IRS, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Gumucio’s case is assigned to U.S. District Judge John P. Cronan.

The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, said, “Greg Gumucio built a thriving yoga business yet chose to evade his tax obligations for nearly a decade. This Office is committed to holding individuals accountable who fail to pay their fair share.”

Gumucio founded YTTP in New York in 2006, and it became extremely popular, opening at least approximately 20 yoga studios or affiliated entities throughout New York City and in various other places.

From 2010 to 2020, YTTP and its affiliates generated gross receipts of more than $20 million, yet YTTP never filed a corporate tax return with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”).

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/leader-yoga-people-pleads-guilty-tax-evasion