KANSAS CITY, Missouri – A Peculiar, Missouri business owner pleaded guilty to tax evasion in federal court today.
Jason Rigori, 42, waived his rights to a grand jury, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bowe, and was charged with tax evasion.
Mr. Rigori, who has owned and operated Granite Construction Services, LLC since 2006, has confirmed that he has not filed federal personal, business, or employment tax returns since at least 2013. Labor Compensation Tax and Unemployment Tax.
As part of his plan, Rigori used the business’s bank account for all personal spending. Rigori used the proceeds from his tax evasion to pay for travel, restaurant meals, and alcohol.
Rigoli mistakenly tells the IRS agent that he always pays his employees by check. Rigori also misrepresented to IRS agents that he had paid his employees “by 1099,” when in fact Rigori often paid his employees in cash and sent Form W-2 or Form W-2 to his employees. Did not submit 1099.
Under the terms of today’s plea bargain, Rigoli must pay the IRS an amount determined by the court at the time of judgment. Rigori will have to pay $10,188 in return for unpaid employment taxes. At the time of sentencing, the government could argue that losses from Rigori’s attempted criminal plot totaled between his $250,000 and his $550,000.
Under federal law, Rigori faces up to five years in federal prison without parole. Statutory maximum sentences are set by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes. Defendant’s sentencing will be determined by the court based on advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing is scheduled after the U.S. probation office’s presence investigation is completed.
The case is being prosecuted by U.S. Assistant Attorney Kathleen D. Mahoney. Investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.
