Former Kansas CPA Pleads Guilty To Filing False Tax Returns

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A former Kansas CPA pleaded guilty Tuesday to filing a false tax return, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.

Robert M. Purinton, 69, formerly of Overland Park, Kan., now of Rancho Mirage, Calif., pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement on his 2009 tax return by under-reporting his income by about $202,000.  He agreed to make restitution of $71,543 for the additional taxes due and owing for that year.  He also agreed to make restitution of $34,512 for 2010, although he did not plead guilty to any criminal activity for that year.  During those years, he was a CPA with an accounting firm in Overland Park.

  The sentencing date will be set after his presentence report is completed. He faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison, a fine up to $250,000, and total restitution of $106,055. Beall commended the Internal Revenue Service and Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon Patton for their work on the case.