LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A former Las Vegas resident pleaded not guilty today to felony tax evasion crimes that occurred over a 10-year-period, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden for the District of Nevada.
Craig Orrock, 68, currently of Sandy, Utah, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Koppe in Las Vegas following his arrest in Salt Lake City on April 28, 2016. Orrock is charged in a criminal indictment with one count of attempting to evade the payment of tax, one count of attempting to evade the assessment of tax, and one count of attempts to interfere with the administration of IRS laws. If convicted, Orrock faces up to five years in prison on the first two counts and up to three years in prison on the third count, as well as fines of up to $250,000 on all counts.
The indictment alleges that beginning on about April 15, 2001, and continuing to at least April 23, 2010, in Nevada, Orrock willfully attempted to evade and defeat the payment of a large part of the income tax due and owing by him to the United States for the calendar years 2000 through 2006. Orrock allegedly did so by filing false and fraudulent bankruptcy petitions, false and fraudulent amended tax returns, and a false and fraudulent offer in compromise with the IRS, and by placing funds and property in the names of nominees and concealing from the IRS the nature and extent of his assets.
The indictment also alleges that Orrock willfully attempted to evade and defeat the assessment of a large part of the income tax due and owing by him to the United States for the calendar year 2007, by concealing from the IRS both ownership of property he held through a nominee known as Arville Properties, LLC and the proceeds from the sale of such property.
The case is being investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Burns.
An indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.