Indictment: Scott Tucker Failed to Report Millions in Income

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A professional racecar driver who lives in Leawood was indicted Wednesday on federal charges of failing to report millions in income from payday lending business he owned, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said. The defendant’s accountant was indicted, too.

Scott Tucker, 55, Leawood, Kan., is charged with one count of filing a false tax return, and W. Brett Chapin, 46, Shawnee, Kan., is charged with aiding in the filing of a false tax return.

The indictment alleges that in 2008 Tucker orchestrated a sham sale of his company CLK Management to the Miami tribe for $120,000. In fact, Tucker continued to control CLK and a new entity, AMG Services, Inc.

After the sale, other people and entities were listed as owners of Tucker’s payday lending businesses. In fact, Tucker controlled the daily operations of those business. He was the source of funds being lent and he bore the risk of loans not being repaid.

          Tucker’s payday lending businesses included Ameriloan, Cash Advance, One Click Cash, Preferred Cash Loans, United Cash Loans, US FastCash, 500 FastCash, Advantage Cash Services and Star Cash Processing.

          Chapin was a CPA who prepared Tucker’s tax returns for 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. On Oct. 19, 2009, Tucker signed a 2008 tax return prepared by Chapin that failed to report more than $42.5 million in income from Tucker’s payday lending businesses. On Oct. 20, 2011, Tucker signed a 2010 tax return prepared by Chapin that failed to report more than $75 million in income from Tucker’s payday lending businesses.

          Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

          Conspiracy: Up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

          Filing a false tax return: Up to three years and a fine up to $250,000.

          Aiding and abetting the filing of a false tax return: Up to three years and a fine up to $250,000.

          The Internal Revenue Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Rask are prosecuting.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Richard Armenta, 57, Overland Park, Kan., is charged with one count of bank robbery.

The indictment that on Nov. 24, 2017, Armenta robbed Capitol Federal Savings Bank at 9001 E. Santa Fe in Overland Park, Kan.

If convicted he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

The Overland Park Police Department and the FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Flannigan is prosecuting.

Anois Coronado-Floriano, 31, Kansas City, Kan., Idania Daniela Ortiz, 37, Kansas City, Kan., and Carlos Coronado, 26, Kansas City, Kan., are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Dec. 6, 2017, in Wyandotte County, Kan.

If convicted, they face a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley is prosecuting.

 Esteban Muniz-Torres, 50, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Dec. 1, 2017, in Johnson County Kan.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble is prosecuting.

Dennis Bowen, 46, Ottawa, Kan., is charged with escaping from federal custody. The crime is alleged to have occurred Nov. 6, 2017, in Leavenworth County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

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