PHILADELPHIA, PA — Donna Fecondo, a 63-year-old resident of Garnet Valley, PA, has been handed a 46-month sentence in federal prison after admitting to serious tax crimes. The owner of a mushroom farm was also slapped with an order to pay back the hefty sum she owes.
Fecondo, who held the reins at Joseph Silvestri & Son, Inc., a business rooted in the cultivation of mushrooms, found herself in hot water after it emerged she had been skimming off the top when it came to her tax obligations. In a jaw-dropping turn of events, it was disclosed that nearly $600,000 in employment taxes never made their way to the IRS under her watch.
The saga unfolded as Fecondo admitted to withholding payroll taxes from her employees’ wages but then pocketing the cash instead of handing it over to the taxman. To make matters worse, this wasn’t a one-off oversight. From 2013 to 2016, Fecondo consistently failed to file the necessary corporate and personal income tax returns, blatantly ignoring her legal duties.
It wasn’t until July 2017, long after the deadlines had passed and following a nudge from the IRS about her non-compliance, that Fecondo finally submitted the overdue tax forms. Yet, despite acknowledging the substantial amount owed, she still didn’t cough up the cash.
The total tax tab Fecondo dodged? A staggering $1,255,068.94, with a particular focus on the years 2015 and 2016, where not a penny of the $599,159.94 due was paid. This maneuver not only flouted the law but also deprived honest taxpayers and essential government programs of crucial funds.
U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero didn’t mince words, drawing a stark contrast between the begrudging yet law-abiding citizens who settle their tax bills and those like Fecondo who attempt to game the system. Her pointed statement underscored the seriousness with which tax evasion is taken, especially as it undermines the collective effort and integrity of the tax-paying community.
Special Agent Yury Kruty of IRS-Criminal Investigation weighed in, emphasizing the critical role of payroll taxes in supporting foundational programs like Social Security and Medicare. The message was clear: employment tax fraud is a high-priority issue, and the authorities are more than ready to clamp down on culprits with full force.
Behind the scenes, the IRS-Criminal Investigation unit and Assistant United States Attorney Karen Grigsby took the lead in bringing Fecondo to justice, showcasing their commitment to upholding tax law and protecting public funds.
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