PORTLAND, Maine — A local man was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court to two months in prison for failing to file federal income tax returns in 2010.
Senthil Prabakaran, 42, of Portland also was ordered to pay $115,529 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.
After completing his prison term, Prabakaran will be on supervised release for a year, according to information posted on the court’s electronic case filing system. He will be confined to his home for four months and required to perform up to 160 hours of community service.
Prabakaran was indicted in June of 2014 on three counts of failing to file federal tax returns for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010, according to court documents. In an agreement with federal prosecutors, he pleaded guilty to one count of the indictment and agreed to pay restitution relating to the tax due for all three years.
He faced up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. His attorney, Peter Rodway of Portland, recommended a sentence of probation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Murphy recommended Prabakaran spend a year behind bars.
Prabakaran, who works as a computer consultant and software designer, apparently did not file tax returns in effort to avoid paying higher child support, Murphy said in his sentencing memorandum.
“As filing season comes to an end, it is important for citizens to have confidence that when they pay their taxes, their neighbors and co-workers are doing the same,” William Offord, criminal investigation special agent in charge for the IRS, said Friday. “The sentencing of Mr. Prabakaran sends a clear message that IRS Criminal Investigation, together with the Department of Justice, will investigate and prosecute those who violate our tax system.”