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Thom Mrozek (213) 894-6947 |
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Release No. 07-046
April 6, 2007
OWNER OF NEWPORT TUX AND UNIFORM
PLEADS GUILTY TO TAX EVASION
Robert Frank Hanna, the owner and operator of Newport Tux and Uniform in Newport Beach, California, pleaded guilty this afternoon to evading the payment of his federal taxes. Newport Tux and Uniform is a business that sold uniforms to other businesses, primarily hotels and casinos in California, Nevada, and the Bahamas.
Hanna, 57, of Trabuco Canyon, California, pleaded guilty this afternoon before United States Chief District Judge Alicemarie H. Stotler in Santa Ana to one count of tax evasion for his outstanding tax liability for 1994 through 2004.
Hanna has had a long history of tax problems with the IRS, including tax liens that the IRS filed on Hanna’s property in or about 1994. In entering his guilty plea, Hanna admitted that from 1994 through 2004, Hanna diverted money from Newport Tux and Uniform business accounts to pay personal expenses for himself and his wife. Hanna also admitted using the barter system with customers to hide income received, including providing approximately $29,000 worth of uniforms to Laguna Surf and Sand Hotel to pay for Hanna’s wedding at the hotel.
On November 5, 2005, Hanna filed an Offer in Compromise with the IRS in an attempt to settle his outstanding tax liability. In his plea agreement, Hanna admitted that he provided false statements and information to the IRS in his Offer in Compromise, including knowingly overstating his monthly expenses and inventory purchases, and failing to disclose the money and income Hanna diverted from Newport Tux and Uniform.
In entering his plea, Hanna admitted that his total tax liability from 1994 through 2004, including penalties and interest, was approximately $356,459.
Pursuant to his plea agreement, Hanna has paid approximately $350,000 to the IRS as a credit toward his outstanding tax due and owing.
Chief Judge Stotler scheduled Hanna’s sentencing hearing for September 17, 2007. At sentencing, Hanna faces a maximum possible sentence of five years in federal prison and a fine up to $100,000.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division.
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Release No. 07-046
Return to the 2007 Press Release Index