A Naples construction manager has pleaded guilty to a payroll fraud scheme that federal prosecutors say cheated the U.S. government out of more than $4 million in tax revenue, according to WGCU.
Alexis Garcia entered his guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kyle C. Dudek in the Middle District of Florida. His plea still requires formal acceptance by a district court judge. Garcia is awaiting sentencing and faces up to five years in prison, as well as restitution, fines, and supervised release. The final sentence will be determined by a federal judge after reviewing sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
According to court records, Garcia managed Tape Drywall Services Inc. in Naples from 2017 to 2019 and conspired with others to operate an illegal cash payroll system. The scheme allowed the company to avoid paying employment taxes and mislead workers’ compensation insurers…