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Plumber Sentenced for Tax Fraud
A Great Falls businessman has been sentenced to nine months in prison and ordered to pay $148,735 in restitution for employment tax fraud, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced today.
Thomas O’Connell, 48, pleaded guilty to willful failure to pay over employment taxes for his three plumbing businesses: Quality Plumbing and Heating, Orbit Plumbing and Heating, and Orbit PHC.
According to court documents, O’Connell caused trust fund taxes to be withheld from employees’ wages, but instead of paying employment taxes, he directed payments to other creditors and to his own personal expenses.
The total tax loss to the IRS resulting from his conduct is more than $550,000. O’Connell was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris, who also ordered him to serve an additional three years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon and Trial Attorney Mark S. Determan of the Tax Division.
O’Connell’s sentence is a reminder that tax evasion will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with law enforcement agencies to root out tax fraud and bring perpetrators to justice.
As part of his sentence, O’Connell must also pay $148,735 in restitution to the IRS. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with the IRS to ensure that O’Connell’s assets are seized and sold to satisfy the restitution order.
Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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