New Port Richey Man Pleads Guilty To Income Tax Evasion

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Steven Staltare pleaded guilty today to income tax evasion. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, Staltare worked in the securities and financial investment business between 1999 and 2009. During that time, he earned income from his business and filed personal income tax returns for most of those years that reflected taxes due to the United States. He failed to pay any of the amounts owed and, instead, diverted income that he had made to maintain his lifestyle and pay for other expenses, including gambling debts. The Internal Revenue Service determined that the taxes owed by Staltare during those years amounted to $1,562,205.00.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay L. Hoffer.