Macher Pleads Guilty

The former owner of several regional restaurants and other local businesses pled guilty on Monday in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Roanoke to a variety of fraud charges.

Roland “Spanky” Macher, of Roanoke, pled guilty to one count of bankruptcy fraud, one count of willfully evading his taxes and one count of food stamp fraud. At sentencing, Macher will face a maximum possible penalty of up to five years for both the tax evasion and bankruptcy fraud charges and up to 20 years for the food stamp fraud charge.

“For years, Spanky Macher deceived his creditors, the bankruptcy court and the American taxpayers in an attempt to evade responsibility for his actions,” United States Attorney Timothy J. Heaphy said at the trial. “When individuals like Mr. Macher lie to courts of law, illegally obtain federal benefits, and avoid paying their share of tax, we will vigorously respond. This case demonstrates this office’s commitment to prosecuting all types of financial fraud.”

In District Court, Macher admitted that he misrepresented and concealed material facts both in documents and in testimony regarding his Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which was filed in November of 2000 and discharged in August of 2005.

Specifically, Macher failed to get approval or disclose the fact that on September 23, 2002 he deeded three rental properties he owned, generating over $135,000 in proceeds. Macher also admitted that he failed to get approval or disclose that  in June 2002 he bought two condominiums in Woodlake Village on Hilton Head Island, SC.

Macher also admitted that on July 27, 2009 he submitted an application for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) assistance with the Roanoke Department of Social Services. He requested benefits for himself and his three children, ages 20, 18 and 14, claiming all three children were members of his household. Macher failed to disclose that his two older children were attending out of town colleges. He also reported his monthly income to be $1,000, but failed to disclose his association with Macher Properties or disclose the existence of several bank accounts used to pay his personal expenses.

The investigation of the case was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Roanoke Department of Social Services. Assistant United States Attorney C. Patrick Hogeboom III is prosecuting the case for the United States.

Latest Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest Articles

- Advertisement -

Related Articles