An Elbert County plumber and his wife have pleaded guilty to a tax scheme to hide nearly $325,000 in income from the Internal Revenue Service, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Denver.
Lance Wheeler, 43, and Lisa Wheeler, 41, owners and operators of Assurance Plumbing and Heating in Elizabeth, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit tax fraud in federal court last week and will be sentenced on April 23.
In addition to restitution, they each face up to five years in federal prison and up to $250,000 in fines.
The scheme defrauded the government of $60,621 in taxes between 2001 and 2004, as the Wheelers claimed to be “managers” of their plumbing business, not the owners.
“In reality, Lance and Lisa Wheeler were the owners of Assurance, and they received all of Assurance’s profits,” according to a statement Wednesday from the U.S. Attorney’s office.
