November 19, 2015

Lewisburg Man Charged with Tax Evasion

WILLIAMSPORT—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Brian Bolus of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, owner of BPK Management has been charged with income tax evasion.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Bolus, age 45, is charged with income tax evasion in a Criminal Information filed yesterday in U.S. District Court in Williamsport. The government alleged that, as president of BPK Management, Bolus understated income and taxes due resulting in a false income tax return for tax year 2012.

The Information alleges in 2012, Bolus underreported taxes by $139,203.

The government also filed a plea agreement, including payment of taxes and penalties with the defendant which is subject to approval by the court.

The investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Wayne P. Samuelson is assigned to prosecute the case.

Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

In this case, the maximum penalty under federal law is five years of imprisonment, and a fine of $250,000.

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.