Owner Of 150-Year-Old Milton Company Avoided $300K In Taxes: Feds

MILTON, MA – The owner of a 150-year-old Milton business pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to filing a false tax return, avoiding the disclosure of substantial business receipts. Harry S. Richard, 68, owner of George H. Richard & Son Roofing, deposited the bulk of his earnings for roofing services from 2010-2013 into his personal bank accounts and failed to disclose them on his tax returns, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Richard's great-grandfather founded Richard Roofing in 1865.

Authorities said Richard directed customers to make many of their checks payable to him personally. Over the course of four years, he failed to report more than $2.1 million in business receipts, avoiding over $350,000 in taxes.

He faces a sentence of no greater than three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss.

Sentencing has been scheduled for Sept. 11.

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