This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
10/10/2024 02:24 PMPress Release from U.S. Department of Justice; United States Attorney, District of Connecticut
On Oct. 9, Michelle Ann Gilson, 38, of Guilford was sentenced by United States District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to 19 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for failing to pay more than a million dollars in business payroll taxes. Gilson’s sentencing was announced by Vanessa Roberts Avery, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Gilson co-owned and co-operated B&M Package Solutions, Inc. and formerly owned and operated Epic Empirez, Inc., both Guilford-based package delivery companies. As co-owner, Gilson was responsible for the company books, payroll, and invoices, and also for collecting and paying over certain federal taxes from her employees, namely federal income taxes and Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) taxes, which include Medicare and Social Security taxes. She was also responsible for ensuring that B&M Package Solutions and Epic Empirez, as employers, paid their own share of FICA taxes.
An investigation revealed that, for multiple quarters during the 2017 through 2022 tax years, Gilson failed to report employees’ federal income and FICA taxes and failed to pay over withheld amounts and the employers’ share of FICA taxes. During this time, Gilson paid more than $600,000 in mortgage payments and property improvements to her Guilford home and also made approximately $140,000 in payments to casino resorts.
Judge Oliver ordered Gilson to pay restitution of $1,407,831.16 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
In 2020, Gilson applied for a government loan through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) which was authorized by Congress as part of the March 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the PPP application, Gilson attested that B&M Package Solutions paid payroll taxes for its employees. In July 2020, Gilson received $250,000 in PPP funds. The PPP loan was subsequently forgiven.
On July 18, Gilson pleaded guilty to willful failure to pay over withholding taxes.
Gilson, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on Wednesday, Dec. 4.
This matter was investigated by Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elena L. Coronado.