Pineville Ambulance Tycoon Cooks Own Goose with Tax Crimes

BECKLEY, W.Va. – A federal jury found Christopher Jason Smyth, 48, of Pineville, guilty of tax crimes that will land him behind bars for years.

Smyth, owner of ambulance service Stat EMS, LLC, was convicted on Thursday, May 2, 2024, after a four-day trial. The verdict came down for two counts of failing to pay over taxes for two quarters in 2016 and one count of obstructing the IRS.

According to evidence presented at trial, Smyth failed to pay the taxes withheld from employees’ wages at Stat EMS, which accrued approximately $3.3 million in unpaid taxes. Instead, he paid personal expenses and transferred funds to businesses held by his friends and family.

Smyth attempted to mislead IRS revenue officers by denying he had personal bank accounts and claiming no involvement with other businesses, despite having signature authority over their bank accounts.

“Smyth’s actions were a slap in the face to honest taxpayers who adhere to the law,” said Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division. “This conviction serves as a reminder that tax evasion and obstruction of the IRS will not be tolerated.”

Smyth faces up to five years in prison for each failure to pay taxes count and three years in prison for obstructing the IRS. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 4.

The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant Chief David Zisserson, and Trial Attorneys Kavitha Bondada and Andrew Ascencio of the Tax Division, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik Goes of the Southern District of West Virginia.

United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the jury trial.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:22-cr-182.

Smyth’s conviction is a stark reminder that tax crimes will not be tolerated in the Mountain State.

The guilty verdict brings an end to a lengthy investigation that exposed Smyth’s scheme to evade taxes and obstruct the IRS.

Ambulance services have a critical role in West Virginia’s healthcare system, but Smyth’s actions undermine the public’s trust in these services.

The Tax Division has made combating tax crimes a top priority, and this conviction is a testament to their dedication to justice.

Smyth’s sentence will serve as a warning to others who would seek to cheat the system.

The case will be monitored closely by the U.S. Attorney’s Office as Smyth awaits his sentencing on September 4.

The guilty verdict is a victory for the IRS and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, who worked tirelessly to bring Smyth to justice.

Smyth’s actions have consequences, and he will face the full weight of the law.