OAKLAND, California – A South Lake Tahoe man has pleaded guilty to willfully failing to pay employment tax withholdings due to the IRS, announced U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey, Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Tax Division, and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Oakland Field Office, Acting Special Agent in Charge Mark Silva.
Robert Hienekamp, 58, was the Chief Executive Officer of Endowance Solutions, Inc., a software consulting and development company based in California. During 2016 and 2017, Endowance Solutions withheld income, Social Security, and Medicare taxes from its employees’ wages. Hienekamp, however, did not file the legally required quarterly employment tax returns or pay the withholdings due to the IRS, despite knowing of his obligation to do so.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Hienekamp’s actions resulted in a tax loss of over $800,000. The IRS-CI, Oakland Field Office, is investigating the case.
Hienekamp is scheduled to be sentenced on June 27, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Trial Attorney Mahana Weidler of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Lagrama of the Northern District of California are prosecuting the case.
The case highlights the importance of employers complying with tax laws and regulations. The IRS encourages taxpayers to report any suspected tax crimes to the agency’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-829-1040.
Robert Hienekamp’s guilty plea serves as a reminder that tax crimes can have severe consequences, including imprisonment and significant fines. Employers must take responsibility for their tax obligations and ensure that they comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
Defendant/respondent: Robert Hienekamp
Criminal charges: Willfully failing to pay employment tax withholdings due to the IRS
City and state: South Lake Tahoe, California
Exact date: 2016-2017 (crime date)
Sentence or outcome: Scheduled to be sentenced on June 27, 2024, faces up to 5 years in prison and $800,000 tax loss
Dollar amounts: $800,000 (tax loss)
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- Frank Hamilton Sentenced to 5.5 Years for SBA Scam, California, 2023 · Texas
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: White Collar Crime|Tax Evasion
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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