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Press Release

Marinette Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion in Federal Court

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Wisconsin

United States Attorney James L. Santelle announced that a Marinette business man pleaded guilty to tax evasion in federal court in Green Bay yesterday. Pursuant to a plea agreement, Joseph Wilke (age 56) pleaded guilty to evading taxes he owed in 2007. As part of his plea agreement, Wilke, who operates a heating and air conditioning business in Marinette, acknowledged that during the years 2007 - 2009 he failed to report more than $130,000 of income he earned from a side-business and, thereby, under reporting his federal taxes by more than $50,000.

Based on his plea, Wilke faces up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.  As part of his plea, Wilke also agreed to make full restitution to the IRS for his unpaid taxes, interest, and penalties, which total more than $108,000. Wilke is scheduled to be sentenced on September 29, 2014. He was released on bond pending his sentencing.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew L. Jacobs.

Updated January 29, 2015