Christian Avard sentenced to 12 months in jail for repeated tax evasion

MONTREAL, Oct. 21, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Christian Avard, a repeat offender from Lasalle, was sentenced today at the Montréal courthouse to 12 months in jail and to a fine of $22,476, which represents 50% of the federal income tax he tried to evade. He pleaded guilty to a tax evasion charge last June 2^nd. In addition to this fine and jail sentence, Mr. Avard will have to pay the full amount of tax owing, plus related interest and any penalties that apply.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) investigation revealed that, for the 2005 to 2007 tax years, Christian Avard voluntarily contravened the Income Tax Act by failing to report a total of $271,164 in the business income tax returns of A.R. Livre-Rapide, a pharmaceutical drug delivery company he controlled. The scheme used by Mr. Avard consisted of using an employee as a front man for the business when in fact he was the real owner, and depositing unreported business income in his spouse's bank account to claim them as his own.

Christian Avard had been convicted of tax evasion in 2006 in a similar scheme.

All case-specific information above was obtained from the court records.

The overwhelming majority of Canadians pay their taxes in full and on time. In fairness to them, the CRA makes sure that people who try to avoid paying taxes are held to account.

If you have ever made a tax mistake or omission, the CRA is offering you a second chance to make things right through its Voluntary Disclosures Program (VDP). If you make a valid disclosure before you become aware that the CRA is taking action against you, you may only have to pay the taxes owing plus interest. More information on the VDP can be found on the CRA's website at www.cra.gc.ca/voluntarydisclosures.

Additional information on convictions can be found on the Media page of the CRA Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/convictions.

SOURCE: CANADA REVENUE AGENCY

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Julie Pronovost
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