Owners Of St. Charles Real Estate Company Sentenced For Tax Fraud

St. Louis, MO - JOHN and ANTHONY CALANDRELLA were sentenced today for their failure to file income tax returns for three years on the income from their company, Golden Delta Enterprises.  John was sentenced to 18 months in prison; Anthony was sentenced to 6 months in prison.                                        

According to court documents, John and Anthony Calandrella owned Golden Delta Enterprises, (GDE), a business that purchased, renovated and then sold or rented homes in the St. Louis metropolitan area.  For the tax years 2003, 2004 and 2005, GDE generated substantial profits, part of which went directly to the defendants.  Accordingly, they received substantial, personal gross income which required them to prepare and file individual federal income tax returns.  However, for these three tax years, the Calandrellas’ had returns prepared for these tax years, but failed to file these returns or pay any taxes due and owing to the United States of America.  Additionally, they sent letters to the Internal Revenue Service claiming to be citizens of the sovereign state of Missouri, therefore not required to sign or file federal income tax returns or pay federal income taxes.  They also concealed personal income and assets in order to lower potential tax liability.  Finally, the brothers used GDE funds to purchase literature from well-known promoters of tax evasion schemes and activities. For the tax years 2003-2005, John Calandrella caused a loss to the United States in the amount of $227,032; Anthony Calandrella caused a loss of $198,644.  Both were ordered to pay those amounts in restitution.

"The law is clear on the issue of taxable income and who is required to file and pay taxes:  there is no gray area on the subject," said Sybil Smith, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation.  "Honest individuals should not have to pick up the tab for those people not filing returns."

John P. Calandrella and Anthony R. Calandrella, both of Lake St. Louis, MO, pled guilty in July to three felony counts of attempting to evade taxes. They appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge Jean C. Hamilton.

This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Casey handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.