Trennis Baer, Employment Tax Fraud, Montana 2020

State: Montana
Category: Fraud &#038; Financial Crimes
Source: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/owner-montana-construction-company-pleads-guilty-employment-tax-fraud" style="color:#cc0000;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">DOJ Press Release ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬â€

The Grimy Times can exclusively reveal that Trennis Baer, owner of Baer Construction in Great Falls, Montana, has pleaded guilty to employment tax fraud. According to court documents and statements made in court, Baer willfully failed to file quarterly employment tax returns and pay employment taxes withheld from his employees’ wages to the IRS from 2010 to 2018.

During this time, Baer’s outside accountant prepared the appropriate employment tax returns and calculated the employment taxes due, but Baer chose to ignore these obligations. The total tax loss to the IRS from Baer’s conduct is a staggering $1.5 million.

Furthermore, Baer willfully failed to file personal income tax returns for the years 2001 to 2006, 2008, and 2010 to 2018. The extent of Baer’s tax evasion is a shocking example of the brazen disregard for the law exhibited by some business owners.

U.S. Attorney Kurt G. Alme for the District of Montana commended the special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, for their hard work and dedication in bringing Baer to justice.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Tax Division praised the work of Trial Attorneys Matthew Hoffman and Eric Taffet of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting the case.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Morris has scheduled sentencing for January 28, 2021. At sentencing, Baer faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, as well as a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.

The Grimy Times will continue to monitor the case and provide updates as more information becomes available.

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