Manitou Springs Man Sentenced For Tax Evasion

DENVER – United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn announced that Scott Daniel Roughen, age 54, of Manitou Springs, Colorado was sentenced today to serve 24 months (2 years) in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release for tax evasion.  He was also ordered to pay $995,033.51 in restitution.  Roughen was ordered to report to a facility designated by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons on March 18, 2020.  IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Andy Tsui joined in today’s announcement.

According to court documents, Roughen failed to file individual federal tax returns for tax years 2000 through 2006.  After the IRS assessed tax liabilities for Roughen for those tax years, he evaded the payment of those taxes for more than a decade by hiding his income through shell corporations, using bank accounts held in names other than his own, setting up multiple offshore bank accounts, and recruiting others to lie to the IRS on his behalf.  

“The defendant cheated the American people for seven years and tried to escape liability for many more,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn.  “He will now go from a life of luxury to a prison cell as a result of his lies and deception.”

“Every American who pays his or her taxes should be offended that a select few use offshore accounts to evade paying their fair share of taxes,” said Andy Tsui, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation. "Today's sentence is a positive message, especially since it is tax filing season, to honest taxpayers and further shows that IRS – CI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to protecting the integrity of the U.S. tax administration system, and to make sure everyone complies with their tax obligations."

This case was investigated by the IRS – Criminal Investigation.  Roughen was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Pegeen Rhyne.