66-year-old Milwaukee man charged with tax fraud, accused of failing to file in 2012, 2013

MILWAUKEE COUNTY -- A 66-year-old Milwaukee man has been charged with tax fraud.

The accused is Thomas Rogers Sr. of Milwaukee -- who has been charged with two counts of failing to file an income tax return in 2012 and 2013.

Rogers made his initial appearance in court in this case on Wednesday, April 27th. The court found probable cause for Rogers to stand trial in this case. He has pleaded not guilty.

A pre-trial conference was scheduled for May 4th.

Signature bond was set at $500.

If convicted, Rogers faces up to 18 months in jail and $20,000 in fines.

The charges are being brought by the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office following an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue's Office of Criminal Investigation.

According to the criminal complaint, Rogers did not file state income tax returns for 2012 and 2013.  The complaint alleges that Rogers made deposits into his bank accounts totaling more than $125,000 in 2012 and $550,000 in 2013.  In addition, he has been acting as a subcontractor for approximately 15 years.

Payments to Rogers from Paul Davis Restoration and Remodeling Corp. exceeded $11,000 for 2012 and 2013, according to the complaint.

The complaint indicates Rogers estimated tax liability is $18,268 for 2012 and 2013.

The complaint states the Department of Revenue sent 25 letters to Rogers between May 2014 and April 2015 regarding his income tax filings and liabilities.  Rogers' response was that he had no filing requirements from 2007 onward and he is only a babysitter that helps out friends.