Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Failing to File Federal Tax Returns

ROCHESTER, NY—Travaris Meeks, 34, of Rochester, New York 14621 pled guilty on April 3, 2009, to two counts of failing to file federal income tax returns in front of U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa, Acting U.S. Attorney Kathleen M. Melhtretter of the Western District of New York announced today. These violations each carry a maximum of 1 year in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard A. Resnick, who handled the case, stated that for the years 2002 and 2003, Travaris Meeks earned taxable income from his clothing store business, Mad Flavors, located at 185 Lyell Avenue, Rochester, New York. Despite earning substantial income, Meeks failed to file federal income tax returns for 2002 and 2003. Specifically, for 2002, Meeks failed to report approximately $96,468 in income, resulting in a tax owing to the IRS of approximately $32,094. For, 2003, Meeks failed to report approximately $96,015 in income resulting in a tax due and owing to the Internal Revenue Service of approximately $30,932.

Meeks also agreed to forfeit the approximately $160,000 which had been seized by the government. This money will be used to satisfy Meeks’ outstanding tax liability, which, with penalties and interest, totals approximately $160,000. The conviction in this case was the culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Laurie J. Bennett, Special Agent in Charge.

Sentencing for Meeks is scheduled for July 17, 2009, at 2:15 p.m EST.