Greenwich Landscaper Enters Plea In Federal Tax Evasion Case

GREENWICH, CT — A 48-year-old Greenwich landscaping company owner waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of tax evasion, announced United States Attorney John H. Durham.

Pasquale F. Furano, a Greenwich resident and the sole owner of Pasquale Furano Landscaping, was accused of underreporting more than $2.5 million in gross receipts on his federal tax returns between 2009 through 2013.

He provides landscaping and snowplowing services to approximately 150 to 200 commercial and residential customers in Fairfield and Westchester counties. During those five years, Furano "falsely reported total taxable income of $264,697 when his actual total taxable income was $1,751,727," according to prosecutors and court documents.

Consequently, he only paid a total of $44,213 in federal taxes when he actually owed an additional $540,182.

The investigation revealed that Furano "evaded the payment of his federal taxes by negotiating approximately 2,436 client checks, totaling approximately $1,295,990.23, at the bank for cash rather than depositing the checks into his business accounts, sometimes cashing up to 38 checks in one day."

Furano also did not disclose to his tax return preparer his receipt of cashed client checks and other deposited client checks.

On October 16, 2014, IRS special agents conducted a court-authorized search of Furano’s residence and seized handwritten business records and $613,842 in cash. Furano has agreed that the seized cash will be applied to his outstanding tax liability. He also has agreed to make restitution to the IRS for the remaining penalties and interest for 2009 to 2013, which, as of February 1, 2018, are estimated to be an additional $480,179.

Furano also has agreed to pay the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) $112,360 in sales tax he collected from his customers from 2009 to 2013, but did not pay to the DRS.

When he is sentenced on June 8, Furano faces a maximum prison term of five years.

This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter S. Jongbloed.

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