The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced that Kevin Ekow Plange of Toronto, Ontario, was sentenced on March 20, 2018 to 18 months in jail and to two years of probation. On September 27, 2017, Plange pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of Justice in Toronto to one count of fraud over $5,000 under the Criminal Code.

A CRA investigation revealed that between August 7, 2013 and July 28, 2014, Plange prepared and submitted to the CRA 28 fraudulent direct deposit forms, to change the direct deposit information for the accounts of 12 corporations. Plange falsified these direct deposit forms to direct GST/HST refunds and other payments properly payable to the corporations into bank accounts held by him with various Canadian banks. As a result, Plange redirected $41,831,073 into bank accounts he controlled. Ultimately, with the exception of $15,000, the CRA recovered the funds.

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

Tax cheating is a crime. Falsification of records and claims can lead to criminal charges, prosecution, jail time, and a criminal record. The CRA publicizes convictions in cases of tax evasion to maintain confidence in the integrity of Canada’s self-assessment tax system. Under the income tax and excise tax laws, persons convicted of tax evasion will face fines ranging from 50% to 200% of the evaded taxes and up to five years imprisonment. If convicted of fraud under Section 380 of the Criminal Code, an individual can face up to 14 years in jail.

The CRA has set up a free subscription service to help Canadians stay current on the CRA’s enforcement efforts.

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Contacts

Media Relations
Canada Revenue Agency
416-952-8105