A high-profile tax fraud case in Utah has come to an end with the guilty pleas of husband and wife Robert Watson, 54, and Marie Watson, 52. The couple, who owned and operated the Teazers Sports Bar & Grill in Ogden, Utah, pleaded guilty in federal court in Salt Lake City to charges of tax fraud.
According to the indictment, the Watsons failed to report substantial cash income on their corporate returns and personal tax returns. They hid this income from their tax preparer and caused tax returns to be filed with the IRS that grossly understated their true income.
The Watsons’ scheme involved false returns arising out of tax year 2007. Robert Watson could owe the IRS as much as $221,290 in back taxes, and Marie Watson could owe as much as $114,942.
The case is being investigated by the IRS-CI Las Vegas Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason R. Burt for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
The Watsons will be sentenced on January 10, 2014. They each face a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine of $100,000.
Robert Watson pleaded guilty to two counts of filing false tax returns. Marie Watson pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false personal tax return.
This case highlights the importance of accurate tax reporting and the severe consequences of tax fraud. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates on the sentencing.
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Key Facts
- State: Utah
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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