Tax fraud nets jail time for Ray O'Neil Kanho

Montréal (Quebec), October 6, 2009... Ray O'Neil Kanho, of Laval, pleaded guilty today to tax fraud charges before the Court of Quebec. He was sentenced to 3 years in prison. This sentence is to be served concurrently with the other jail sentences resulting from the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) investigation that was part of Project Colisée.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) investigation revealed that for the 2005 and 2006 taxation years, Kanho produced false income tax returns by voluntarily failing to report important income.

"The Canada Revenue Agency pursues tax evaders to maintain public confidence in the integrity of the tax system," said William V. Baker, CRA Commissioner. "Canadians have to trust that our self-assessment system is working and that it is fair."

The CRA will challenge non-compliance with tax laws. However, individuals who have not filed returns for previous years, or who have not reported all of their income, can still voluntarily correct their tax affairs. They will not be penalized or prosecuted if they make a full disclosure before the CRA takes any action or starts an investigation concerning them. These individuals will only have to pay the taxes owing, plus interest. More information on the Voluntary Disclosures Program can be found on the CRA Web site at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/voluntarydisclosures/index.html.