Canyon County business manager convicted of grand theft, tax evasion

BOISE, Idaho — July 16, 2024 — The former business manager and controller of a Canyon County trucking company is in prison for state income tax evasion and grand theft after embezzling funds from his employer.

The Canyon County District Court sentenced Chad Stevens to three years in prison for income tax evasion and three years for grand theft, with credit for time served. Stevens will serve the sentences concurrently.

As a business manager, Stevens took advantage of his former employer by transferring business funds to his personal credit cards without permission. He also gave himself unauthorized pay raises and took business funds through ATM withdrawals.

According to the Idaho State Tax Commission, Stevens failed to report $62,197 of embezzled income on his 2018 Idaho tax return, and he falsified expenses and deductions totaling $16,985 on his 2019 tax return.

“All income, whether obtained legally or illegally, must be reported on a tax return,” said Tax Commission Chairman Jeff McCray. “Intentionally providing false information is fraud.”

The Tax Commission discovers tax crime by routinely analyzing tax returns and conducting tax audits, as well as through tips from law enforcement, other state agencies, and the public.

To report tax crime, email the Tax Commission’s fraud unit at fraud@tax.idaho.gov or complete the online fraud referral form at tax.idaho.gov/fraud. You can choose to remain anonymous.