Former Carlisle Diner Owner Sentenced To One Year And One Day Imprisonment For Income Tax Evasion

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Atef Hussein, age 48, of Hagerstown, Maryland, former owner/operator of the Fairground Diner in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to one year and one day imprisonment by United States District Court Judge John E. Jones III, for income tax evasion. 

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Hussein understated income and taxes due, resulting in false income tax returns for tax years 2011 through 2015 causing a tax loss of approximately $139,293.

Judge Jones ordered Hussein to pay $139,293 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.

“Crimes such as tax evasion directly impact our shared obligation as citizens to support vital government services,” said United States Attorney Freed. “I commend our partners at IRS Criminal Investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney James Clancy for their diligence in pursuing this case.”

“Taxpayers thinking about participating in fraudulent tax schemes, including failing to report all forms of income, should stop in their tracks and simply look at the consequences of taking the next step,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Guy Ficco. “Those consequences include going to prison, being branded a convicted felon for the rest of their lives, and paying back all the taxes owed plus steep penalties and interest.”

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney James T. Clancy prosecuted the case. 

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