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Tax evasion schemes net former Ogden dentist 5 years in prison

By Mark Shenefelt - | Jun 6, 2022

Ben Dorger, Standard-Examiner file photo

The United States Courthouse in Salt Lake City is pictured Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019.

SALT LAKE CITY — A former Ogden dentist has been sentenced to five years in federal prison stemming from an investigation into extensive tax evasion.

Derald Wilford Geddes appeared Friday before U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell, who also ordered him to pay more than $1.8 million in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.

Federal prosecutors alleged that Geddes schemed to dodge $4.2 million in personal and corporate tax liability from 1997 to 2005. Then, from 1998 through 2014, Geddes was accused of transferring income, assets and property among four entities he created and submitted phony documents to the IRS — including corporate tax returns claiming his practice had no gross receipts in certain tax years.

A jury in March found Geddes guilty of tax evasion, filing three false tax returns and engaging in a corrupt endeavor to obstruct the IRS.

Campbell also ordered Geddes to serve three years of supervision upon his release from prison. The judge said Geddes “is not a good candidate” to be released on his own to report to federal prison, so she ordered him to remain in the custody of U.S. Marshals for transportation to prison.

Geddes, who represented himself in the case with the help of a local defense attorney, filed a motion for a new trial. Campbell denied the motion on Friday.

Albert Childress, an IRS Criminal Investigations special agent in charge, issued a prepared statement after Geddes was sentenced. “Certain individuals think that the laws and obligations to correctly report and pay income taxes do not apply to them,” Childress said. “Every American has the responsibility to pay taxes and follow the law; this is what keeps our system fair.”

State professional licensing records show Geddes’ dental license expired in 2016.

In a separate action, federal attorneys are pursuing a civil complaint against Geddes, seeking to collect $994,000 from him via federal tax liens and foreclosures.

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