Dallas Business Owner Charged With Tax Evasion

A Westlake man who owns several businesses, bars and nightclubs in the DFW area who allegedly hasn’t paid taxes since 1992 has been federally charged, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.

Dhanesh Deoraj Ganesh was indicted Wednesday, January 17th on five counts of tax evasion, one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. He was arrested on Friday and made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rebecca Rutherford Monday.   

According to the indictment, Mr. Ganesh, 62, allegedly concealed his ownership in his businesses by using nominee names, including his ex-wife, his brothers, and his sons. Mr. Ganesh did not have bank accounts in his personal name and did not have signatory authority on bank accounts opened in the names of the companies he controlled. Payments from these businesses were collected in check and cash form. The checks were cashed at check-cashing businesses and then used to purchase cashier’s checks in amounts under $3,000.

Mr. Ganesh has not filed a personal or business income tax return since 1992.

The scheme allegedly resulted in approximately $1.6 million in unpaid taxes.

In addition, Mr. Ganesh and others used some of the restaurants and bars to sell cocaine.

An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. Mr. Ganesh is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison for each of the five counts of tax evasion, 20 years in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and 20 years in prison for conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.

IRS – Criminal Investigations’ Dallas Field Division conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Walters of the Northern District of Texas is prosecuting the case.