BALTIMORE -
Mary Ann Laciny, age 62, of La Plata, Maryland pleaded guilty today to filing false tax returns, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.
According to the statement of facts provided to the court as part of her plea agreement, Laciny is part owner and treasurer of the family business, Sta-Cool Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. (Sta-Cool), and maintained control over the business books from 1995 through 2000. During this time, Laciny diverted corporate monies to pay for personal items and services. She diverted additional Sta-Cool checks payable to herself and her husband that she failed to report on her personal income tax returns and diverted additional funds from Sta-Cool by repaying herself more than she loaned the business to satisfy a judgment against the company. Laciny also failed to report rental income on her personal income tax return. As a result, Laciny owes additional federal tax of $113,193 plus additional state income tax of $20,484. Furthermore, the unlawfully deducted corporate expenses diverted to Laciny for personal use resulted in the corporation owing additional federal tax totaling $49,924 and additional state income tax of $12,336.
Laciny faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a $100,000 fine. U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus has scheduled sentencing for January 12, 2007.