Joseph Bennington, Tax Evasion, South Dakota 2020

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Rapid City Man Sentenced for Tax Evasion

A Rapid City, South Dakota man has been sentenced to prison for failing to pay his income taxes. Joseph Bennington, 42, was convicted of Tax Evasion and sentenced to 15 months in federal prison.

According to U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons, Tax evasion is a serious crime that will be met with a serious federal response. Parsons stated, ‘Tax evasion is a serious crime. It will be met with a serious federal response, as this prison sentence confirms.’

The conviction stemmed from Bennington failing to make an income tax return, as required by law, and failing to pay income taxes owed by him for the year 2017. Bennington also failed to file and pay income taxes for tax years 2008-2016, despite earning substantial income during the same period of time. Additionally, Bennington concealed his true income by cashing checks he received from Black Hills Auto Auction Inc. instead of depositing the checks into his bank account.

Acting Special Agent in Charge Adam Steiner, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, stated, ‘Tax evasion is not a victimless crime. Today’s sentence exhibits that the IRS and U.S. Attorney’s Office are duty bound to protect the integrity of the U.S. tax administration system, and to make sure everyone complies with their tax obligations.’

The investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.

Bennnington was ordered to self-surrender to the U.S. Marshals Service on June 29, 2020, to begin serving his custody sentence. As part of his sentence, Bennington was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and $124,645.00 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.

Defendant: Joseph Bennington
Criminal Charges: Tax Evasion
City and State: Rapid City, South Dakota
Exact Date: April 27, 2020
Sentence: 15 months in federal prison, $100 special assessment, $124,645.00 in restitution

Black Hills Auto Auction Inc. was also implicated in the case, as Bennington concealed his true income by cashing checks received from the company instead of depositing them into his bank account.