August 25, 2014

Sayre Couple Sentenced in Tax Evasion Scheme

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced that Randy Talada, age 58, and Sandy Talada, age 59, both of Sayre, Pennsylvania, were sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann today in Williamsport.

Randy Talada was sentenced to 21 months’ incarceration to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and tax evasion. Sandy Talada was sentenced to 6 months’ incarceration and 6 months’ home confinement to be followed by a two-year term of supervised release for tax evasion.

The tax evasion was the result of the Taladas’ failure to report income derived from their theft of small game of chance winnings from the Fort Sullivan Post 246 American Legion located in Athens, Pennsylvania. Randy Talada, the Bar Club manager at the time of thefts, also failed to report his wages. He was also convicted for conspiracy to commit mail fraud for supplying false statements via mail to the State Worker’s Insurance Fund (SWIF). At the sentencing hearing today, he was ordered to pay $171,000 in restitution to SWIF. The Taladas also owe IRS approximately $54,000.

The investigation was conducted by the IRS, Criminal Investigations Division, the FBI and the Athens Borough Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd K. Hinkley.