Peter Coker, 50, of Dover, Delaware was sentenced today in federal court in Delaware to 21 months in prison for failing to pay over $1.1 million in payroll taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”).
According to court documents and statements made in open court, Coker was the sole owner of Sitework Safety Supplies Inc., a construction supply company in Delaware. Between tax years 2012-2014 and 2016, Coker failed to remit federal income, Medicare, and Social Security taxes he withheld from Sitework employees’ paychecks, as well as Sitework’s taxes due and owing, to the IRS.
In addition to the sentence, United States District Judge Richard A. Andrews, Coker also ordered $1.145 million in restitution.
“Peter Coker cheated his employees and the government when he failed to pay over to the IRS the taxes withheld from his employees’ wages,” said Guy Ficco, IRS criminal investigation special agent in charge. “As a result of his actions, his employees are at risk of losing future social security and Medicare benefits. IRS-CI will work tirelessly to ensure that perpetrators of similar crimes are held accountable.”
The case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation Division and the U.S. Department of Labor, in coordination with Delaware Department of Labor.
