Former Washington real estate developer Winston Bontrager, 64, and his girlfriend Pauline Anderson, 65, were sentenced today in U.S. District Court for their role in a $23 million tax evasion scheme.
Bontrager was handed an 11-year prison term and three years of supervised release, while Anderson received a 39-month sentence. Both are to pay $2,717,510 in restitution.
The couple, indicted in 2012, were convicted following a four-week jury trial in 2013. Bontrager had previously been convicted for bank fraud and defrauding public pension funds in the past.
Prosecutors revealed that Bontrager and Anderson filed false tax returns from 2004 to 2009, failing to report over $23 million in income and evading more than $2.7 million in taxes. They moved millions into foreign accounts and concealed their assets to avoid detection.
In addition to the prison terms, both were living a lavish lifestyle while dodging tax obligations, purchasing luxury goods and real estate with money that should have gone to the IRS.
U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan emphasized Bontrager’s brazen attitude towards his legal obligations and his repeated offenses. Special Agent in Charge Kenneth Hines highlighted the greed-driven nature of the crime, noting that it was driven by a desire to avoid paying taxes while enjoying the high life.
Related Federal Cases
- Macon Tax Preparer Willie Grant Sentenced For ID Theft & Fraud · Washington
- Tax Preparer Kyle Baxter Gets Two Years for Fraudulent Refunds · Washington
- Tax Fraud Kingpin Colaco Sentenced to Nine Years · Washington
- Tacoma Fraudster Pleads Guilty to $1.8M Tax Refund Scheme · Washington
- Stahlman Nabbed for $95K Tax Refund Scam · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
