Batavia man underreported income by nearly $1.3 million

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The owner of a Batavia packaging firm has been convicted of tax evasion, according to an agent with the Internal Revenue Service.

Kerry Lynn Hannigan, a special agent with the IRS criminal investigation division in Chicago, confirmed that on Wednesday, James A. Fowler was sentenced by Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer to three years' probation.

Under the plea agreement, Fowler also admitted understating his income for 2002 through 2004. The total unreported income for 2002 through 2006 was nearly $1.3 million.

Fowler's sentence includes 12 months of community confinement, a fine of $350,000, restitution of $336,511, a special assessment of $125 and 100 hours of community service.

Fowler, owner of Rideau Packaging Inc., pleaded guilty in November to filing a false tax return for 2005 and failing to file a tax return in 2006.