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Tax fraud in Madison

October 30, 2008

A Madison heating contractor has more than tax troubles. Godfredo Macapugay and his wife, Elizabeth, were sentenced this week on charges of evading over $110,000 in federal taxes. Mr. Macapugay received 12 months and 1 day, while his wife got three years probation. Why the disparity?

At today's sentencing hearing for Elizabeth Macapugay, Judge Crabb that she was very troubled by Ms. Macapugay's conduct. The judge noted that Ms. Macapugay was a smart women, with a background in accounting, who knew exactly how much money her husband was making in the business, but intentionally failed to report those numbers to their tax return preparer. Judge Crabb explained that she had no tolerance for this kind of behavior. However, given that Mr. Macapugay was already incarcerated and facing certain deportation, and there were no other close relatives in the United States to take care of their two minor children, the judge ordered a probation sentence for Ms. Macapugay.

A year in the hole, then the bums rush to the airport and the old country. If the tax cheating highlighted his illegal status, it seems like a very bad move (not that tax cheating is ever a great move). It looks like the family will have to follow Mr. Macapugay to the old country if they want to stay together. Very sad.

Tags: tax crime.