Florida furniture seller pleads guilty to evading over $1.7 million in taxes

FLORIDA — A Florida businessman has pleaded guilty to evading the payment of more than $1.7 million in taxes owed for tax years 2004 through 2014, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

David Albert Fletcher, of Deltona, the owner and operator of several furniture liquidation businesses in Florida, including Century Liquidators, reportedly failed to file timely federal income tax returns or pay taxes from 2004 through 2013.

After an audit, the IRS assessed $1.7 million in taxes, interest, and penalties against Mr Fletcher.

Court documents revealed that Mr Fletcher concealed his income and assets to avoid paying the taxes, including using nominees to hide his purchases of luxury vehicles, such as Rolls Royce.

He also filed false tax returns that understated his income and made false statements to an IRS special agent regarding his earnings.

Mr Fletcher faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison, with his sentencing hearing set for a later date. A federal judge will determine his sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida announced the plea. IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case and is being prosecuted by Justice Department Trial Attorneys Zachary A. Cobb and Charles A. O’Reilly, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Megan Testerman.