Father and Sons Plead Guilty in Schemed to Obstruct the IRS

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - Three residents of Rockwood, Pa., each pleaded guilty in federal court in Pittsburgh to a charge of conspiracy, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

George R. Beener and his sons Kerry Beener and Kevin Beener pleaded guilty to one count each before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that, between March 2010 and February 2016, George R. Beener, Kerry Beener and Kevin Beener engaged in a conspiracy to impair, impede, and obstruct the functions of the Internal Revenue Service in the computation, assessment and collection of income tax.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for each of the defendants on Dec. 12, 2016, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both for each of the defendants. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.

Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of the Beeners.