Robert Watson, Tax Fraud Scheme, Ogden UT, 2023

Robert Watson, 54, and Marie Watson, 53, of Pleasant View, Utah, are paying the price for their shenanigans at Teazers Sports Bar & Grill in Ogden. The couple faced justice this week after being sentenced for a tax fraud scheme that siphoned off tens of thousands from the IRS.

Robert, who pleaded guilty to two counts of filing false tax returns, was handed six months behind bars, 12 months of supervised release, and 500 hours of community service. The bar owner also had to cough up $39,629 in restitution to the IRS. Marie, on the other hand, got a lighter sentence—36 months of probation and 200 hours of community service—for her role in filing a false personal tax return.

U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups handed down the sentences, which were based on an investigation by the IRS-CI Las Vegas Field Office and prosecution by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason R. Burt for the District of Utah. The Watsons’ scheme involved hiding substantial cash income from Teazers’ corporate returns and their personal tax returns. They raked in big money from cover charges and other bar amenities, all while keeping their true earnings under wraps.

According to court documents, the Watsons deliberately concealed their income from their tax preparer, leading to false returns being filed with the IRS. It’s a classic case of white-collar crime that has landed them in hot water, but it’s too little, too late for the IRS and taxpayers who lost out on much-needed revenue.

Teazers Sports Bar & Grill may have been a beacon of entertainment for many, but its owners’ fraudulent activities are a stark reminder that even those in the public eye aren’t above the law. The sentence is a win for justice and a warning to others who might consider following in their footsteps.

This case serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of tax fraud. As the Watsons learn, the price of cheating the system can be steep, both financially and personally.

RELATED: Ogden Bar Owners Cook the Books, Face Federal Fraud Charges