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A co-owner and manager of a restaurant/gas station and convenience store in Williamsport did not report more than $318,580 over three years, a federal grand jury in U.S. Middle District Court found.
Joseph Rinker, 51, was charged by criminal information with one count of filing false tax returns. He was the co-owner and manager of Harvest Moon, a business that also was owned by three other individuals who were largely uninvolved in the daily operations, according to U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler.
Rinker, however, managed the daily operations including maintaining the company's books and records, court documents said.
From 2014 through 2017, Rinker allegedly used his position to embezzle by allegedly depositing a portion of the business funds into his personal bank account at a local bank that were later used toward his personal expenses.
From 2015 to 2018, Rinker allegedly filed with the Internal Revenue Service joint U.S. Individual tax returns that underreported Rinker's income for 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, the grand jury said.
Rinker faces charges of making and subscribing a false tax return. On or about July 12, 2018, Rinker allegedly willfully filed the tax return for the prior year, which was verified with a written declaration that was made under penalty of perjury and which Rinker to not believe to be true and correct. The underreported amount was $135,644, according to Alison V. Martin, assistant U.S. attorney. The estimate tax loss is $64,250.
Rinker signed plea agreement and agreed to make restitution of $64,250. He was not charged with embezzlement.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by a judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statues and guidelines.
The case is being handled by U.S. Middle District Judge Matthew W. Brann.