Danbury Flooring Company Owner who Filed False Tax Returns is Sentenced

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SCOTT BENINCASA, 32, of Danbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to three years of probation, the first six months of which BENINCASA must serve in home confinement, for filing false tax turns.  Judge Chatigny also ordered BENINCASA to perform 120 hours of community service, pay a $15,000 fine and make full restitution to the IRS.

According to court documents and statements made in court, SCOTT BENINCASA and his brother, David Benincasa, were 50 percent owners in Goodhouse Flooring, LLC, a business that provides floor installation and flooring products to retail and commercial customers.  David Benincasa assisted SCOTT BENINCASA with the daily operations of the business, but had primary responsibility for the financial aspects of the business.  For the 2008 through 2010 tax years, the brothers intentionally understated gross receipts from their business on the Schedule C attached to their respective federal personal income tax filings.  During those years, the brothers failed to accurately report the expenses incurred in running their business, as they paid certain laborers who worked for their business in cash and then failed to reflect the cash payments on their filed returns.

In addition, during an IRS civil audit, SCOTT BENINCASA submitted a false real estate log and business schedule in an effort to improperly justify previously taken deductions on his 2009 federal personal income tax return.

BENINCASA was ordered to pay $47,076 in back taxes, plus applicable interest and penalties.

On October 28, 2015, SCOTT BENINCASA pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false tax return, and David Benincasa, 35, of Danbury, pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion.  David Benincasa faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years when he is sentenced on January 25.  He also has agreed to pay $238,274 in back taxes, plus applicable interest and penalties.

This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.