John P. Hardwick, Evading Employment Taxes, Missouri 2023
In a shocking turn of events, a Springfield business owner has pleaded guilty to evading $300,000 in employment taxes, leaving many in the community feeling betrayed.
John P. Hardwick, 51, waived his right to an indictment and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to a federal information that charges him with attempting to evade taxation.
According to the charges, Hardwick accumulated $306,298 in employment tax liabilities as an employer from 1994 through 2016, and failed to pay the money to the IRS.
The IRS issued a Notice of Intent to Levy in 2016, which notified Hardwick that the IRS would contact individuals and entities that conducted business with him and notify those customers of the fact that he owed the IRS money.
However, Hardwick then directed at least two of his customers to disregard the IRS levies; he also told them he would not complete their ongoing projects if they paid the IRS instead of him.
Under federal statutes, Hardwick is subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →