July 23, 2004

PRESS RELEASE

SHERBORN MAN SENTENCED TO FOUR MONTHS OF HOME DETENTION WITH ELECTRONIC MONITORING FOR TAX EVASION

Boston, MA... A Sherborn man was sentenced Wednesday, July 21, 2004, for federal income tax evasion.

United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan and Joseph A. Galasso, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, announced that JOHN J. LAVOIE, age 57, of Sherborn, Massachusetts, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Joseph L. Tauro to 2 years of probation, the first 4 months of which are to be served in home detention with an electronic bracelet. A jury convicted LAVOIE of federal income tax evasion on April 28, 2004 after a three-day trial.

The evidence presented at trial showed that LAVOIE, a self-employed heating and air conditioning contractor, evaded federal income taxes by filing false U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns with the IRS for the years 1990, 1991, and 1992. The evidence showed that LAVOIE provided his accountant with a false summary sheet of business activity, which was used to prepare the tax returns. LAVOIE failed to report approximately one-half of his gross business receipts, which resulted in an additional tax due and owing to the United States of approximately $18,000.

The case was investigated by Special Agents of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John M. Hodgens, Jr., Chief of Sullivan's Worcester Office.

Press Contact: Samantha Martin, (617) 748-3139