Chesco Paving Business Owner Accused Of Tax-Dodging $84K

COATESVILLE, PA — A Coatesville paving company owner is charged federally with tax evasion after the IRS said he failed to pay them $84,000 between 2014 and 2017, not filing tax returns.

The man allegedly cashed checks from paving business customers at check-cashing stores to avoid paying tax on the payments.

A federal court affidavit alleges that William Wells, a part-owner of a Coatesville paving company, did not file tax returns for tax years 2014 through 2017. Special Agent in Charge Thomas Fattorusso said that Wells was charged on Monday with tax evasion, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7201.

According to the federal affidavit, in 2014 Wells had a reportable taxable income of $30,681, with approximately $10,895 due to the IRS in taxes. But, on April 15, 2015, Wells "willfully attempted to evade and defeat a large part of the income tax due" for 2014, by "concealing and attempting to conceal from the IRS his true and correct income and assets, by failing to make an income tax return as required by law and by failing to pay to the IRS the income tax due and owing."

The case against him states that in his effort to conceal income earned from operating the company, Wells cashed checks from customers at a check-cashing business. By doing this, Wells evaded the payment of $84,995 in federal income taxes, federal authorities allege.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and full restitution paid to the IRS, the Internal Revenue Service said in a news release.

The news release also said that Wells formerly owned a restaurant in Coatesville.

“Anyone contemplating cheating on their taxes should know that IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agents work tirelessly, year-round, to investigate tax and financial crimes,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Thomas Fattorusso.

"Our largest enforcement program is directed at the portion of American taxpayers who willfully and intentionally violate their known legal duty of filing and paying their taxes”

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard P. Barrett.