SALT LAKE CITY — A federal grand jury has handed down a nine-count indictment against a Pleasant View couple for conspiracy and filing false tax returns in connection with their operation of the former Teazers Sports Bar and Grill.

Robert R. Watson, 52, and his wife, Marie M. Watson, 51, are both named in the indictment returned Wednesday.

Robert Watson was the president and general manager of Teazers, 366 36th St., in Ogden, while Marie Watson kept the books, according to the indictment.

The indictment alleges the Watsons failed to record substantial cash receipts from Teazers and prepared financial records for the club knowing that the cash receipts were not included.

The couple also failed to report substantial cash receipts on any books or records of the company, according to the indictment.

Robert Watson said he was unaware of the indictment until contacted Thursday by the Standard-Examiner. He denied the indictment’s allegations.

“It’s totally false,” he said. “I will have to get with my attorney on the matter. We make our tax returns, and they go to our accountant in a timely manner.”

Robert Watson said Internal Revenue Service officials have not met with him or his attorney regarding the allegations.

Robert Watson said he sold Teasers in 2011 but retains ownership of the building that housed the defunct nightclub.

According to the indictment, the Watsons gave to their tax preparer financial records that they knew were false and misleading. The indictment also alleges they used cash receipts from Teazers to pay personal expenses and did not report the information to their tax preparer or to the IRS.

The Watsons also prepared, or caused to be prepared, signed and filed false and fraudulent corporate and joint individual tax returns with the IRS for the 2004 through 2008 tax years, the indictment states.

Robert Watson was also indicted on four counts of filing a false corporate tax return, knowing that the returns failed to report additional gross receipts received by Teazers during each year.

Robert and Marie Watson were also indicted on four additional counts of filing false joint individual tax returns.

A summons will be issued to the Watsons to appear in court for an arraignment.

The potential penalty for the conspiracy count is up to five years in prison. Filing false returns carries a potential penalty of up to three years in prison on each count. The fine for each count in the indictment is up to $250,000.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Salt Lake City and was investigated by special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation.