WAYNE, W.Va. — Two Wayne County business owners could face years in prison after pleading guilty to federal employment tax charges.
That’s according to a news release Tuesday from U.S. Attorney Carol Casto for the Southern District of West Virginia and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Caroline Ciraolo, head of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
Michael Taylor, 48, entered a guilty plea Tuesday to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States in the ascertainment, computation, assessment and collection of employment tax from 2007-2010.
Jeanette Taylor, 44, admitted to one count of failing to pay over employment tax in 2009.
According to the release, the Taylors owned and operated a construction business in Wayne and changed the name of the business several times, but the business’ operations stayed the same.
The Taylors are accused of withholding over $850,000 from their employees’ paychecks and used the funds to purchase property. They’re also accused of failing to pay over thousands of dollars in employment taxes for another business. resulting in a tax loss of $1.4 million.
Each face up to five years in prison when they are sentenced Jan. 23, 2017.