United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas
04/21/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/21/2025 12:46
El Paso Business Owner Sentenced to 18 Months in Federal Prison for Tax Violations
Press Release
El Paso Business Owner Sentenced to 18 Months in Federal Prison for Tax Violations
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Texas
EL PASO, Texas - An El Paso man was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso today to 18 months in prison for failure to account for and pay over trust fund taxes.
According to court documents, Edward Dean La Puma, 58, was the founder and sole proprietor of 77 Stone, a granite countertop business, who willfully failed to account for and pay over trust fund taxes for 20 tax periods, from the first quarter of 2018 through the last quarter of 2022. His 20 violations resulted in the tax loss of $818,096.
La Puma was indicted for 20 counts April 24, 2024 and arrested May 21, 2024. He pleaded guilty to one count on Nov. 21, 2024. As part of a plea agreement, La Puma agreed to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $383,551.
Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Micaela Glass prosecuted the case.
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Updated April 21, 2025
Topic
Tax
Component