Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on Monday announced Charles, 61, and Angela Parks, 48 both of Carp Lake pleaded guilty to several felony tax-related charges for failing to file sales tax and personal income tax returns for five years.
The Parks both pleaded guilty to six counts each of Failing to File Income Tax Returns between 2012 and 2017 and Ms. Parks pleaded guilty to an additional 56 counts of Failure to File Sales Tax Returns monthly between 2013 and 2018. Each count is punishable by up to five years in prison and/or up to a $5,000 fine.
In 2010, Ms. Parks opened Parks Place Café in Conway, Michigan. She never incorporated the business with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and didn't register the café as a taxpayer with the Department of Treasury until 2016. The café was selected for a Treasury audit in 2017, which revealed Parks collected more than $73,000 in sales tax since mid-2013 but failed to remit any of it to the Department of Treasury.
"We count on Michigan businesses and residents to pay their fair share of taxes," Nessel said. "These individuals broke the law and stole tens of thousands of dollars that could have gone to fix our roads, improve our schools and ensure our communities remain safe. Today, we're holding them accountable."
Nessel added she appreciates the thoroughness and continued cooperation with the Department of Treasury which has helped the Department of Attorney General crack down on unscrupulous businesses.
To address restitution issues, the couple's sentencing is delayed to 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, in front of Eaton County Circuit Court Judge John D. Maurer.
Published: Wed, May 01, 2019
