As many people in Missouri are aware, running a small business can be complicated. The focus of many business owners is on ensuring the success of their business, often meaning that they prioritize their meetings with their clients or otherwise meeting the needs of their clients over bookkeeping. Unfortunately, this prioritization could ultimately result in accusations of committing white collar crimes under certain circumstances.
In fact, a 40-year-old business owner was recently sentenced to 15 months in prison due to federal charges related to his business’s taxes. The man, according to reports, owns a landscaping business. He reportedly pleaded guilty to a charge of false statements on a tax return.
As part of the plea, he reportedly admitted that he underreported his business’s income from 2013 to 2015 by $1.4 million. He is said to have cashed company checks, rather than depositing them, and made deposits into his personal account to hide the income. As part of the agreement, he will spend 15 months in federal prison and will pay over $450,000 in restitution.
Even those are are skilled at a great many things, such as providing lawn care, may struggle with the complexities of the criminal justice system. Unfortunately, cases involving accusations of white collar crimes can be especially difficult for people without legal training to fully understand. There are experienced professionals who can help people in Missouri who are in such a predicament. These professionals can ensure that defendants fully understand the charges they are facing and help them make the decisions that will impact the rest of their lives, including pleading guilty if there is a belief that there is sufficient evidence for a conviction.