Porter County official given probation for failing to supply information to IRS
Chicago Tribune
Jun 4, 2019
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/ct-ptb-jon-snyder-sentencing-st-0605-story.html
The Porter County assessor will be on probation for failing to supply tax information for his private appraisal business.
Judge John Martin on Tuesday sentenced Jon Snyder, 42, to a year of probation after he pleaded guilty last year for failing to supply information to the IRS, a misdemeanor charge related to his personal business.
“I’m deeply sorry for what’s happened,” Snyder said.
Snyder said for the last four or five years, his taxes have been accurately filed and he’s taken steps to see that his business’ finances are in order.
“It was my mistake. It was my fault,” Snyder said. “I plan to continue on the right path.”
Snyder, as owner of Shoreline Appraisals Inc., allegedly failed to give the IRS an “Informational Return 1099 Form, which is a requirement for non-employees who received more than $600 in payments during a calendar year, according to court documents.
Snyder and Shoreline Appraisals allegedly failed to file the document for “Person A,” who was paid more than $5,000 in 2013, according to court documents.
“Clearly, this was an oversight for which he accepts full responsibility for,” said defense attorney Matthew Fech.
Pleading guilty to a misdemeanor would not require Snyder to resign from office, according to state law.
As part of the plea agreement, Snyder agreed to testify against his brother, former Portage Mayor James Snyder in his public corruption trial. James Snyder was convicted and gave up his office, but has not yet been sentenced.
“Through that whole time, I’ve always been truthful,” Snyder said. “I wanted the truth to come out and that’s why I cooperated, your honor.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip Benson said Jon Snyder’s decision to cooperate with the government was difficult and it was not forced on him. Benson said he’s seen criminal prosecutions where a person will not cooperate against another family member.
“He’s paid a high price for his cooperation,” Benson said. “The defendant has stood tall and always tried to do the right thing since the government became involved with him.”
Benson said he’d agree that a sentence of a term of probation is appropriate.
In February, a federal jury found James Snyder of bribery and obstructing the IRS, bringing an end to his 19-day trial. Snyder was convicted of taking a $13,000 bribe in exchange for contracts to sell five garbage trucks to the city, and using a shell company to hide income and assets from the IRS while owning back personal and business taxes.
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