Defendant Pleads Guilty to Making a False Statement on Tax Return

Gregory J. Haanstad, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on Friday, April 14, 2017, Gerald W. Neigelsen (age: 73) of East Troy, Wiscosnin pleaded guilty to a one-count information charging him with making a false statement on Internal Revenue Service Form 1040. As part of the plea agreement, Niegelsen agreed to pay restitution of $457,269 in back taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). He faces up to three years’ imprisonment, a $100,000 fine, one year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Niegelsen’s sentencing is scheduled for July 6, 2017.

The IRS investigation revealed that Niegelsen willfully filed false Individual Income Tax Returns in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. Niegelsen was the owner-operator of a business offering pier installation, removal and storage services as well as snow removal for clients in Wisconsin and Illinois. Niegelsen concealed significant unreported gross receipts in connection with the operation of the business. From 2009 through 2012, Niegelsen conducted numerous transactions in which he cashed over 3,000 checks. The checks included $1,990,931 of unreported business receipts written to “G.W. Niegelsen” that were converted into cash instead of being deposited into the business account.

This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation. The case is prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bridget J. Domaszek.

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