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Contractor Sentenced to 60 Days in Jail for Tax Evasion
August 28, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2009
Contact: Leanne Robbin Assistant Attorney General, Phone: (207) 626-8573
Contractor Sentenced to 60 Days in Jail for Tax Evasion
AUGUSTA?Attorney General Janet T. Mills announced today that Christopher W. Janes, 42, of South Berwick, Maine, has been sentenced in York District Court to 60 days in jail for failing to file and pay state income taxes from 2002 through 2007. Janes, a drywall contractor, had a gross income ranging from $36,000 to over $290,000 during the relevant time period, and failed to file or pay any state taxes.
His case was referred to the Maine Revenue Services Criminal Investigations Unit from the agency?s Non-Filer Unit, which identifies those individuals who are required to pay income tax and fail to do so. Following the investigation, the State determined that Janes owes $64,695.22 in tax and interest for the six year period.
On August 27, 2009, Janes pled guilty to six counts Failure to File and Pay Income Taxes, all Class D crimes. Each count is punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. After argument before the court, Judge Andre Janelle imposed a sentence of 364 days, all but 60 days suspended, followed by one year administrative release, on count 6 of the criminal complaint. The court imposed a second year of administrative release for the remaining counts. The conditions of administrative release are that Janes liquidate an annuity, currently valued at approximately $18,000, and make restitution to the State.
?We expect every Maine citizen to do his or her part in paying taxes to support our roads, our schools and other State services,? said Attorney General Mills. ?My office will bring criminal prosecutions and seek significant jail sentences, when appropriate, against Maine citizens who do not fulfill their tax obligations.?
The Attorney General?s Office would like to thank the Maine Revenue Services Criminal Investigations Unit for investigating this case.
