Florida CPA Pleads Guilty to Evading $2.2M in Taxes
Summary
The DOJ announced that Ronald St. Clair, a Florida CPA, pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion for concealing over $2.2 million in income tax liabilities from 2011-2017. St. Clair sold real property after the IRS notified him of a levy and transferred proceeds to a third-party bank account, using the funds for personal and business expenses while negotiating an IRS payment plan. He faces up to 5 years in federal prison and restitution.
What changed
Ronald St. Clair, a Florida Certified Public Accountant, pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion under 26 U.S.C. § 7201 for concealing more than $2.2 million in income tax liabilities accumulated between 2011 and 2017. After the IRS notified St. Clair in 2020 of its intent to levy his assets to collect unpaid taxes, he sold real property and transferred the proceeds into a third party's bank account. He then used those concealed funds for personal and business expenses while deliberately failing to disclose them during IRS payment plan negotiations.
This prosecution signals continued aggressive enforcement by IRS Criminal Investigation and the DOJ Criminal Division's Tax Section against sophisticated tax evasion schemes involving asset concealment. Tax professionals and high-net-worth individuals should ensure full compliance and transparency with IRS collection efforts, as concealment attempts during payment plan negotiations carry severe criminal consequences including substantial prison time.
What to do next
- Monitor for sentencing date announcement
- Review internal controls for tax disclosure compliance
- Ensure full transparency with IRS during any payment plan negotiations
Penalties
Maximum 5 years imprisonment, restitution, and monetary penalties. Specific amounts to be determined at sentencing.
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Apr 10, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
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Florida CPA Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Share For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs Evaded More Than $2 Million in Tax Liabilities A Florida Certified Public Accountant pleaded guilty today to evading payment of more than $2.2 million of income tax liabilities.
According to court documents, Ronald St. Clair attempted to hide his assets from the IRS after accumulating tax debts for 2011 through 2017. In 2020, after the IRS notified St. Clair that it intended to levy his assets to collect his unpaid taxes, St. Clair sold real property he owned and transferred the proceeds into a bank account in a third party’s name. After transferring these funds out of his own name, St. Clair directed the money for his personal and business use and intentionally failed to disclose these funds and assets while he was seeking a payment plan with the IRS.
St. Clair pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion. His sentencing will be scheduled at a later date. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, as well as restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Marissa R. Brodney and Aaron I. Henricks of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick L. Darcey of the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case.
Updated April 9, 2026 Topic Tax Components Criminal Division USAO - Florida, Middle
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