James L. Wright, Obstruction of IRS and Tax Evasion, Ohio 2023

James L. Wright, 54-year-old owner of B&P Company Inc., an anti-aging skincare company in Germantown, Ohio, has been hit with a slew of charges related to tax evasion and obstruction of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

According to a federal grand jury indictment, Wright allegedly used a series of entities to divert money from B&P Company for his personal use and that of his family members. The indictment also alleges that Wright caused the preparation and filing of false tax returns for the years 2008 and 2009, claiming deductions for payments made for his mother’s apartment rent and utilities, as well as the apartment rent of one of his daughters.

The indictment further charges Wright with filing false tax returns for another entity, The Remnant Inc., on which he claimed deductions for personal expenses, including expenses related to his personal residence, rent for an apartment for one of his daughters, and automobile expenses. Wright is also accused of filing false personal income tax returns for the years 2008, 2009, and 2010, underreporting his income.

Wright is also accused of using Fore Fathers Foundation, a private foundation he established in 2003, to pay for his children’s private high school and college tuition. The indictment alleges that Wright filed income tax returns in the name of the foundation for the years 2008 and 2009 that failed to disclose that the foundation made payments for his children’s educational expenses.

Wright was arrested on March 30, 2023. If convicted, he faces a statutory maximum sentence of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count of the indictment. An indictment is not a finding of guilt, and individuals charged in indictments are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation was conducted by special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, and the case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Melissa S. Siskind and Thomas F. Koelbl of the Tax Division. Additional information about the Tax Division’s enforcement efforts can be found on their website.

B&P Company Inc. has been a family-owned business since approximately 1889, manufacturing and selling skincare products, including a wrinkle reduction product called Frownies. Wright’s alleged actions have left many in the community questioning the integrity of the company’s business practices.

As the investigation continues, one thing is clear: Wright’s alleged actions have had serious consequences for the community and the IRS. The Tax Division’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for their actions is unwavering, and this case serves as a reminder of the importance of tax compliance.

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