CT arrests three alleged tax cheats

Three Connecticut business people face varying charges for allegedly cheating the state out of thousands of dollars in sales and income taxes, authorities said.

State tax agents arrested the three last week. All but one was freed on bond pending scheduled court appearances in January.

State Revenue Services Commissioner Richard Nicholson said, vowed the agency will "aggressively pursue those who try to cheat the system."

In Hartford, agents captured Brian K. Belcher, 35, for a third time stemming from 63 counts of filing false state income tax returns. He remains in custody.

According to the tax agency, Belcher was first arrested in May 2008 and charged with 43 felony counts for allegedly filing false electronic tax returns and attempting to steal tax refunds, authorities said.

In October, Belcher was re-arrested on another 20 felony counts as part of the state's ongoing investigation, the agency said.

 But Belcher disappeared after posting bond on the additional charges and failed to appear in court.

With his latest arrest, the state tax investigators have tacked on additional charges of identity third and credit card fraud, the agency said.

Belcher faces more than 300 years in prison and more than $300,000 if convicted on all charges, officials said.

Watertown restauranteur Jennifer Hallock, 37, was arrested and charged on 37 misdemeanor counts of failing to pay more than $51,000 in sales taxes for two her two Litchfield County businesses, authorities said. Hallock failed to remit taxes on Sophie restaurant on Straits Turnpike in Watertown and 3W and the Blue Bar on West Street in Litchfield.

The state claims she collected the tax from patrons but diverted the money to other uses.

Hallock is free on $53,000 in non-surety bonds pending her Jan. 11 court date. She could face up to 37 years in prison and a $37,000 maximum fine.

Salem sandwich shop owner Kyle Pflugbeil, 32, is charged with one count of operating the Subway sandwich shop on North Main Street in Jewett City with a suspended sales tax permit. The permit was suspended earlier this year after Pflugbeil failed to resolve certain state tax liabilities, authorities said.  

Pflugbeil is free on a written promise to appear in the Norwich Superior Court on Jan. 13. He faces up to three months in prison and a $500 fine on the misdemeanor charge.