CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Two West Virginia business owners were sentenced to multiple months in prison each on Monday after failing to pay employment and income taxes.
Russell and Karen Rucker operated Rucker, Billups and Fowler Inc., an insurance agency based in Huntington. Rusell Rucker served as president since late 2013, and Karen Rucker was the financial officer.
The Ruckers failed to pay $143,226 in payroll taxes from wages, diverting funds for their benefit. When facing pressure from the IRS, the Ruckers deposited the money into the bank account of another person. The couple also attempted to evade IRS levies by using a series of bank accounts undisclosed to the IRS.
The Ruckers also sought to not pay Russell Rucker’s individual income taxes for 2001, 2002 and 2005. The loss to the IRS is at least $250,000.
Russell Rucker was sentenced to 18 months in prison, and Karen Rucker sentenced to six months in prison.
The case was prosecuted by the office of U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart.