Former Stanislaus resident indicted on tax evasion

A former Stanislaus County man was arrested Wednesday on a three-count indictment charging him with tax evasion.

Frank A. Bilan, 66, of Lodi was indicted on one count of “corrupt endeavor to obstruct and impede the administration of the internal revenue laws” and two counts of failing to file tax returns, U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

According to court documents, Bilan, who formerly lived in Newman, earned income as a salaried engineer and through his consulting business but not timely file tax returns for tax years 2001 through 2009.

When the IRS contacted him regarding past-due taxes, Bilan responded by submitting fictitious financial instruments titled “money order” or “money order private issue” in purported payment of his tax liabilities. Hr , attempted to file false income tax returns and falsely reported on an IRS form the money he owed the IRS, according to the documents.

Bilan also failed to file income tax returns for tax years 2008 and 2009. The indictment alleges that between 2005 and 2009, Bilan received over $900,000 in income.

If convicted of a corrupt endeavor to obstruct and impede the administration of internal revenue laws, Bilan faces a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The maximum statutory penalty for willful failure to file a tax return is up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.

This story was originally published May 6, 2015 at 2:49 PM with the headline "Former Stanislaus resident indicted on tax evasion."