Westwood Owner of Stoughton and West Roxbury Restaurants to Plead Guilty to Federal Employment Tax Charges

A Westwood man who owns and operates two restaurants in Stoughton and West Roxbury has agreed to plead guilty to charges related to the federal government’s allegations that he paid employees in cash, “under the table,” failing to withhold and pay taxes on employee wages, announced the U.S. Attorney’s office for the District of Massachusetts from Boston on Tuesday, August 18.

Marios Michalakis, age 44, of Westwood, owns and operates Amelia’s restaurant in Stoughton and Sofia Italian Steakhouse in West Roxbury. He was charged with six counts of failing to collect, report and pay employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service.

Prosecutors allege that Mr. Michalakis failed to withhold federal income taxes, Social Security taxes, and Medicare taxes from employees’ wages. They allege that he failed to pay more than $580,000 in employee and employer taxes to the IRS and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, the charge of failing to collect and pay over taxes can result in a sentence of up to five years in prison and three years of supervised release. Additionally, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss - whichever is greater- may be required along with restitution.

Thanks to the United States Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts, for sharing this news with Westwood Minute.

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