A couple from Missoula, MT pled not guilty to 13 counts of conspiring to defraud the federal government. Joseph Baumgardner and his wife, Traci Baumgardner, along with their accountant, Daniel Burke of Florence, MT were accused by the federal government of skimming money from two businesses and failing to report that income on their tax returns.
The Baumgardner’s owned the Splash Car Wash and Pro Sweep Plus, an industrial maintenance company and Burke, a CPA prepared their tax returns. The indictment alleges that the Baumgardner’s skimmed cash from the car wash and with their CPA’s assistance, did not report the cash on their corporate or individual returns.
Although earning over $5 million for the years 2011 through 2013, the total income tax paid for the same time period was $10,066. They also incorrectly identified personal expenses, such as a 2004 Freightliner motor home (calling it a trailer), a Nordic Heat ski boat (calling it a sweeper) and family trips as businesses expenses.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
