Tax-Evading Pizzeria Owner Pleads Guilty to Evading Millions in Federal Taxes
A local pizzeria owner has admitted to concealing millions of dollars in business income and misrepresenting his payroll to avoid paying federal taxes. Cihan Calkap, the owner of Mimmo's Pizza and Kitchen in North Philadelphia, pleaded guilty to tax evasion as part of a deal reached with prosecutors.
According to authorities, Calkap allegedly evaded $1.8 million in taxes by not recording cash sales at his restaurant, where the income would have been deposited into a business bank account. Instead, he paid himself and employees primarily in cash, making it easier to avoid reporting income and payroll.
Calkap also falsified his tax returns, claiming only four employees worked at Mimmo's when there were actually 25 people employed. The shop's accountant relied on this false information to file forms that significantly underreported corporate tax returns and personal income tax returns for Calkap.
As part of the plea deal, Calkap faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a potential $250,000 fine, and restitution to the IRS for unpaid taxes. Sentencing is scheduled for May 14.
A local pizzeria owner has admitted to concealing millions of dollars in business income and misrepresenting his payroll to avoid paying federal taxes. Cihan Calkap, the owner of Mimmo's Pizza and Kitchen in North Philadelphia, pleaded guilty to tax evasion as part of a deal reached with prosecutors.
According to authorities, Calkap allegedly evaded $1.8 million in taxes by not recording cash sales at his restaurant, where the income would have been deposited into a business bank account. Instead, he paid himself and employees primarily in cash, making it easier to avoid reporting income and payroll.
Calkap also falsified his tax returns, claiming only four employees worked at Mimmo's when there were actually 25 people employed. The shop's accountant relied on this false information to file forms that significantly underreported corporate tax returns and personal income tax returns for Calkap.
As part of the plea deal, Calkap faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a potential $250,000 fine, and restitution to the IRS for unpaid taxes. Sentencing is scheduled for May 14.