Guilford business owner gets 15 months and repays $2 million for tax fraud

GUILFORD — A local man has been sentenced to 15 months in prison and required to pay more than $2 million in restitution after being convicted of tax fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for Connecticut. Christopher Jardine, 55, previously pleaded guilty in April to willful failure to pay over withholding taxes, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Jardine, as a part-owner of Branford-based D&A Construction Management Inc., was responsible for company finances, including "collecting and paying over certain federal taxes from D&A’s employees," specifically federal income taxes and Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) taxes, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Although Jardine and the company withheld these taxes from employee paychecks, they "pay over the withheld amounts, totaling approximately $868,000," the U.S. Attorney's Office said. "Jardine also represented to the IRS that D&A lacked the ability to pay, but he used more than $1 million in company funds to pay personal expenses, including purchases of a 52-foot cigarette boat, a Range Rover, high-end clothing and auto parts, and to make payments on behalf of Straight Jacket USA, LLC, a Guilford business controlled by Jardine," the U.S. Attorney's Office said. During the investigation, Jardine "admitted that he evaded payment of the withheld employee taxes," and also "acknowledged that he evaded the payment of personal income tax liabilities for multiple tax years between 2007 and 2015," the U.S. Attorney's Office said. In his sentencing memorandum, defense attorney David Ring said Jardine's actions were "largely attributable to his fervent and myopic desire to sustain his various business ventures, rather than to line his pockets with unjust wealth and live the life of the rich and famous." Jardine had purchased and sold a used boat, Ring noted, as D&A's fortunes had risen and fallen in recent years. The company had paid approximately $207,000 per year in personal expenses for Jardine, Ring said. "No question, Chris should have paid his taxes and prioritized his debts to the government over his desire to succeed at business. But Chris’ life must be viewed in its entirety at time of sentencing, and there should be no question that Chris is a good man who provides generously for his employees and loved ones," Ring said. Jardine has agreed to pay more than $2 million, including interest and fees, in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. He has already sent along most of the necessary funds. He is scheduled to report to prison Feb. 28. Ben Lambert can be reached at william.lambert@hearstmediact.com.

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