Palmetto man convicted of evading taxes

TAMPA — A federal jury found Palmetto resident Gregory Albert Darst, 71, guilty of interfering with the Internal Revenue Service and willfully failing to file income tax returns, the Middle District of Florida U.S. Attorney announced in a statement.

Darst faces up to seven years in federal prison for his conviction, which includes failing to file an income tax return since 1989. Darst earned income from operating a mobile home park in Largo and, according to the statement, his income exceeded the minimum amount required to file a return.

According to the U.S. Attorney's statement, Darst engaged in a “lengthy and coordinated effort to obstruct and impede the administration of the tax laws.” This included sending false document to the IRS purporting to pay off his tax debt; attempting to retaliate against IRS employees by making false accusations of misconduct; and sending threatening correspondence to a private citizen who purchased property from Darst, which was encumbered by IRS levies and liens.

"Convictions, like the one returned against Mr. Darst [Thursday], send a loud and clear message that regardless of their opinions, people who willfully defy the tax laws will be fully investigated, prosecuted and subjected to the full punishment of the law," says Special Agent-in Charge James D. Robnett of the IRS-Criminal Investigation, in a statement. "Those Americans who file accurate, honest and timely returns can be assured that the government will hold accountable those who don't."