October 14, 2009
The Utah State Tax Commission filed six felony charges against a Provo businessman who operates Harris Hearing Aids.
Robert E. Harris, 76, was charged Oct. 13 with six felony counts including tax evasion, a second degree felony and failure to file a tax return, third degree felony. He will make his first appearance in 3rd District Court on Oct. 21.
A Tax Commission criminal investigation determined that Harris received approximately $5 million in income between 2003 and 2007, but has refused to file income tax returns and pay income taxes at least since 1996.
As a result, Harris owes the State of Utah approximately $700,000 including taxes, criminal penalty, and interest.
“It is unfortunate when there are individuals who refuse to pay their fair share and cause honest taxpayers to become over-burdened,” said Charlie Roberts, spokesman for the Tax Commission. “All income tax monies go directly to benefit students in Utah public schools, colleges and universities.”
The investigation was conducted by the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Tax Commission and will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s office.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
State Tax Commission arrests tax fraud suspect
August 6, 2009
Former Springville resident charged
With State felony tax fraud counts
A former Springville resident was booked Wednesday, Aug. 5 in the Utah County Jail on several felony tax fraud and theft counts.
The Utah State Tax Commission charged Glen L. Mihlfeith, age 64, with communications fraud, theft by deception, and identity fraud, all second and third degree felonies.
Mihlfeith received more than $12,500 in fraudulent state income tax refunds between 2003 and 2007, said Charlie Roberts, spokesman for the Tax Commission.
“He submitted several fraudulent tax returns using the identity of another person, as well as his own,” Roberts said. “He also attempted to obtain additional fraudulent refunds of over $43,000.”
Although the victim of the identity theft did not sustain loss of tax refunds, those fraudulent refunds obtained by Mihlfeith were from income taxes paid by other taxpayers.
Mihlfeith was arrested in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on Aug. 1, and subsequently extradited to Utah.
The investigation was conducted by the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Tax Commission and will be prosecuted by the Utah County Attorney’s office.
All state income taxes are used to educate Utah’s children, and the Tax Commission vigorously pursues theft and fraud cases.
Former Springville resident charged
With State felony tax fraud counts
A former Springville resident was booked Wednesday, Aug. 5 in the Utah County Jail on several felony tax fraud and theft counts.
The Utah State Tax Commission charged Glen L. Mihlfeith, age 64, with communications fraud, theft by deception, and identity fraud, all second and third degree felonies.
Mihlfeith received more than $12,500 in fraudulent state income tax refunds between 2003 and 2007, said Charlie Roberts, spokesman for the Tax Commission.
“He submitted several fraudulent tax returns using the identity of another person, as well as his own,” Roberts said. “He also attempted to obtain additional fraudulent refunds of over $43,000.”
Although the victim of the identity theft did not sustain loss of tax refunds, those fraudulent refunds obtained by Mihlfeith were from income taxes paid by other taxpayers.
Mihlfeith was arrested in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on Aug. 1, and subsequently extradited to Utah.
The investigation was conducted by the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Tax Commission and will be prosecuted by the Utah County Attorney’s office.
All state income taxes are used to educate Utah’s children, and the Tax Commission vigorously pursues theft and fraud cases.
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