SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that John T. Stuchkus, age 59, of Pittston, Pennsylvania was sentenced yesterday to 18 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, for failing to pay federal income and payroll taxes.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Stuchkus is the owner and operator of The Chicken Coop, a restaurant located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The Chicken Coop employed several people during tax years 2013 through 2017. Although Stuchkus deducted and collected F.I.C.A. and other taxes from his employee’s payroll checks, Stuchkus failed to pay the collected taxes to the United States as required by law. Stuchkus also paid employees cash “under the table” and failed to withhold federal employment and F.I.C.A. taxes. Stuchkus was ordered to pay $397,406.91 in restitution, representing the tax loss to the United States.
The case was investigated by the IRS and Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley prosecuted the case.
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