Coal Township Man Charged With Failing To Report Earned Income

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced today that charges have been filed against Paul J. Orner, of Coal Township, Pennsylvania.

     According to United States Attorney, Peter J. Smith, Orner, age 55, is charged in a one-count Information with failing to report earned income to the Railroad Retirement Board while he was receiving a disability pension. The charge arose out of a Railroad Retirement Board investigation of individuals who failed to report income to the Railroad Retirement Board.

     The investigation was conducted by the United States Railroad Retirement Board, Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  Assistant United States Attorney Wayne P. Samuelson is assigned to prosecute the case.

     Indictments and 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 guilty 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 the federal statute is one year imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. 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.