United States Attorney Jenny A. Durkan
Western District of Washington
OWNER OF ARLINGTON, WASHINGTON ELECTRICAL FIRMS ADMITS FAILING TO FILE FEDERAL TAXES
Woman Kept More than $375,000 in Tax She Withheld From Employee Checks
DEBORAH ANN GUENTHNER, of Arlington, Washington pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to willful failure to pay over tax. GUENTHNER was the owner of three corporations WRG Electric, Inc., West Electric, LLC and Electrical Construction, Inc. According to the plea agreement, between 2004 and 2008, GUENTHNER withheld $377,687 from employee wages for employment, social security and income taxes, and then failed to pay it over to the federal government. GUENTHNER kept the money for her own benefit. When sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez, on June 17, 2011, GUENTHNER faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
GUENTHNER has agreed to pay restitution to the United States of $377,687. The IRS will determine whether any additional income taxes, penalties or interest are due. Prosecutors have agreed to recommend the low end of the sentencing guidelines range for a prison sentence. GUENTHNER has agreed to pay the costs of her prosecution. Those costs will be determined at the time of sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carl Blackstone.
