ML businessman gets 2 years in tax case

MOSES LAKE - A Moses Lake business owner was sentenced Thursday to two years in federal prison after having been convicted of failing to file tax returns from 2004 through 2007.

J. Scott Vrieling, 50, also was ordered to pay $939,258 in unpaid taxes, pay a $100,000 fine as well as the $14,269 cost of prosecution. Vrieling must pay all penalties and interest. Vrieling is the owner of Vrieling Financial, an insurance brokerage and consulting firm. It has operated in town since 1949, according to the company's website.

Vrieling was convicted of four counts of failing to file tax returns at a jury trial in October 2012. He was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals Thursday.

Federal prosecutors charged that Vrieling received more than $2.6 million in gross income from 2004 through 2007, but did not pay taxes on the money. Prosecutors said Vrieling and his late wife Patricia owed $956,258 in taxes.

Vrieling is appealing the conviction.

- Staff report