Private investigator admits skimming from company
A private investigator in Cincinnati faces up to 10 years in prison after admitting he skimmed more than $1 million from his business. Federal prosecutors say James Simon, the owner of Business Intelligence Inc., used a large amount of the money to support a gambling habit.
Simon, 66, pleaded guilty this week in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati to one count each of tax evasion and conspiracy. Prosecutors say he skimmed most of the money between 2003 and 2008. The tax charges stem from Simon’s failure to report the money he took on his tax returns, which resulted in a tax loss to the IRS of about $385,000. Prosecutors say Simon admitted to enlisting the help of two employees to conceal the source of money he won while gambling at a riverboat casino in Indiana. They say Simon also took payments from clients in cash or cashier’s checks, which he then deposited into his personal bank accounts. U.S. District Judge Herman Weber will sentence Simon in June. In addition to up to 10 years in prison, he could be fined up to $350,000 and ordered to repay the money he took.
Simon, 66, pleaded guilty this week in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati to one count each of tax evasion and conspiracy. Prosecutors say he skimmed most of the money between 2003 and 2008. The tax charges stem from Simon’s failure to report the money he took on his tax returns, which resulted in a tax loss to the IRS of about $385,000. Prosecutors say Simon admitted to enlisting the help of two employees to conceal the source of money he won while gambling at a riverboat casino in Indiana. They say Simon also took payments from clients in cash or cashier’s checks, which he then deposited into his personal bank accounts. U.S. District Judge Herman Weber will sentence Simon in June. In addition to up to 10 years in prison, he could be fined up to $350,000 and ordered to repay the money he took.
