Philip H. Weber (also known as "Spider"), 72, of Raleigh County, West Virginia was sentenced today by United States District Judge Irene C. Berger to 30 months imprisonment, ordered to pay a $100,000 fine and serve a one year term of supervised release for filing a false tax return. The total tax loss to the United States was $592,000. Mr. Weber pled guilty to filing a false federal tax return on August 20, 2009. Mr. Weber's offense included evidence that from 2000 through 2004, he owned and operated a nationwide, motorcycle apparel retail business. During this time frame Mr. Weber traveled to motorcycle rallies all over the United States and sold items such as leather jackets, chaps and T-shirts. He conducted his business primarily in cash, maintained no business bank accounts, paid employees in cash, falsely claimed a Wyoming residence to avoid state income taxes, failed to maintain customary business records, provided his accountant with false information, and systematically converted cash he received from sales into money orders and cashier checks, instructed his employees to structure their purchases of money orders in amounts that were just under the reporting postal requirements, and transferred a substantial portion of his assets into the name of his ex-wife. Based on these aggravating facts, Judge Berger enhanced Mr. Weber's sentence to a range higher than it otherwise would have been. The judge also imposed a greater than average fine, $100,000. Judge Berger stated that the sentence was necessary to deter the commission of tax crimes, promote respect for the law and afford just punishment for the offense. The Internal Revenue Service and United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation. AUSA L. Anna Forbes handled the prosecution.

 

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