Grand jury indicts Spicer man for tax evasion

ST. PAUL -- A federal grand jury has indicted Robert Goris, 70, of Spicer on two counts of tax evasion. Goris made his initial appearance in federal court Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Arthur Boylan, said David Anderson, public affairs specialist for U.S. Attorney Frank Magill.

Goris was charged April 15 for allegedly evading $740,000 in income taxes for the tax years 2002 and 2003. The indictment alleges Goris received $3.5 million in total income in 2002 and received total income of $200,000 in 2003.

Goris is alleged to have reported his total tax to be $0 and claimed a $15,000 refund on his 2002 tax return when he knew his total tax was substantially in excess of $0 and he wasn't entitled to a refund.

He is also alleged to have reported his total tax to be $5,635 on his 2003 tax return when he knew his total tax was substantially more than that amount.

If convicted, Goris faces a potential maximum penalty of five years in prison on each tax evasion count.