Ronald St. Clair, a Certified Public Accountant in Florida, pleaded guilty on Apr. 8 to evading payment of more than $2.2 million in income tax liabilities.
The case highlights efforts by authorities to pursue individuals who attempt to conceal assets and avoid paying federal taxes.
According to court documents, St. Clair accumulated tax debts for the years 2011 through 2017 and tried to hide his assets from the Internal Revenue Service after being notified that his property could be seized for unpaid taxes. In 2020, he sold real estate and transferred the proceeds into a bank account under another person’s name. Despite moving these funds out of his own name, St. Clair continued using them for personal and business purposes while failing to disclose their existence as he sought a payment plan with the IRS.
St. Clair admitted guilt on one count of tax evasion and is awaiting sentencing at a later date. He faces up to five years in prison along with possible restitution and monetary penalties. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other legal factors.
U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida and Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division announced the plea agreement, noting that IRS Criminal Investigation is handling the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick L. Darcey of the Middle District of Florida along with Trial Attorneys Marissa R. Brodney and Aaron I. Henricks from the Criminal Division’s Tax Section are prosecuting.
