East Lyme Bail Bondsman Enters Court Plea In Federal Tax Case

EAST LYME, CT — A 43-year-old East Lyme resident, who is a partner in a bail bonds business, pleaded guilty Thursday to federal tax offenses, announced United States Attorney John H. Durham and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England.

Regan Tippett pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven.

According to court documents and statements, Tippett, a partner in the bails bonds company, Statewide Bail Bonds, underpaid his federal income tax by nearly $70,000 between the tax years 2010 through 2012.

During the period, Tippett deposited income derived from bail bond fees into his personal bank account and failed to report that income to the company’s outside accountant who prepared both the company’s and Tippett’s federal income tax returns.

Tippett pleaded guilty to two counts of willful failure to keep tax records, and he is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Hall in January. He faces a possible maximum prison term of two years, and he is currently free on $50,000 pending sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Douglas P. Morabito and Christopher W. Schmeisser.

Image via Shutterstock

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