A pastor and businessman from New York has admitted to a tax evasion scheme that cost the US government millions of dollars.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) says Paul Mitchell, the lead pastor of a local church and the president of an educational daycare business, has pleaded guilty to stealing $3.22 million from his employing firms to fund a luxurious lifestyle.
[adinserter block="1"]Court documents show that between 2015 and 2022, Mitchell leveraged his positions to use company credit cards to fund personal expenses and luxury items including men’s clothing, jewelry and watches.
He also wrote checks from the companies’ funds to cover his personal credit card and income tax bills.
Authorities say that as a part of his scheme, Mitchell would transfer funds directly from the companies’ accounts directly into his.
However, he did not report any of the money he stole as earned income, meaning he evaded taxes.
All in all, Mitchell caused about $2.9 million worth of revenue losses for the federal government and $316,000 for the state of New York.
Mitchell faces up to five years behind bars and a fine of up to $250,000. His sentencing has yet to be scheduled.
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