FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2002 (614) 469-2057 Ext. 327
 
 

COLUMBUS - Stephen P. Rainier, age 47, of Pickerington pled guilty in U.S. District Court here today to one count of filing a false income tax return.

Gregory G. Lockhart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Cromwell A. Handy, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, announced the guilty plea which Rainier entered before U.S. District Court Judge Algenon M. Marbley.

Rainier admitted filing a false income tax return for 1994. Documents filed with the plea agreement state that Rainier, a self-employed cement contractor, understated the gross receipts for his business by approximately $18,344 for 1994.

The plea agreement says that the total amount of tax still due is $11,078.81. Rainier faces a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. The requirement to file corrected tax returns for 1994 and every year thereafter may be imposed at sentencing as a condition of probation or supervised release. Judge Marbley will determine the sentence.

Lockhart commended the investigative efforts of IRS Criminal Investigation Division in the case.