CONTACT: Gina Balaya (313) 226-9758
                      Stephen Moore - IRS (734) 669-7550
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
 

    Jeffrey Collins, United States Attorney, and Mark Kroczynski, Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, announced that Mark Roman, 45, and Sandra Roman, 47, both of Clinton Township, Michigan, were sentenced as the results of their guilty pleas on August 15, 2002, to all nine indicted counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of 1994, 1995, and 1996 false corporate and personal federal tax returns.  Mr. Roman was sentenced to 8 months imprisonment followed by one year of supervised release.  He was also fined $10,000.  Mrs. Roman was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment, which will start within one month of Mr. Roman's completion of his prison sentence, followed by one year supervised release.  Both are responsible for restitution of $351, 033, and the filing of corrected tax returns, along with paying all taxes due, including interest and penalties.  Prior to being sentenced, Mr. Roman provided a payment of $300,000 to the Internal Revenue Service to be used towards the restitution owed.  This sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Paul D. Borman.

    Mr. Collins stated, "Between 1994 and 1996, Mr. and Mrs. Roman had ownership interest in two restaurant/bar establishments commonly known as Wooly Bully's, located in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, and Northville, Michigan.  During the investigation, IRS Criminal Investigation undercover agents, posing as potential purchasers, met with Mr. Roman.  During one of their meetings, Mr. Roman showed the undercover agents a second set of books, which revealed the true gross receipts for the business.  Mr. Roman skimmed cash by not reporting door cover charges, beer sold from a tub at the front door, and shots sold by the "shot girls".  Mrs. Roman acted as the bookkeeper and had knowledge to the true gross receipts of the business.  During this time period, the Roman's failed to report over $2.4 million in gross receipts from Wooly Bully's, that resulted in an underpayment of over $325,000 in personal federal taxes."

    Mr. Kroczynski stated, "Criminal Investigation's main focus continues to be on enforcement of the tax laws.  This program is directed at the few American taxpayers, like the Romans, who willfully and intentionally violate their known legal duty of filing and paying their fair share of taxes.  Individuals who attempt to evade their taxes compromise tax administration by forcing the majority of honest taxpayers to pay more than their fair share to make up for these dishonest few.  We will continue to pursue and investigate these people, using tools available to law enforcement, and to work with the United States Attorneys Office in order to bring these individuals to justice."

    Mr. Collins commended the agents of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation for their work in this investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney David J. Portelli prosecuted the case.

    To learn more about Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, please go to ustreas.gov/irs/ci.