Siharath Panyanouvong, a former manager of a Lowell temporary employment agency, was arrested and charged on Mar. 6 with aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of a false tax return. Panyanouvong, 56, of Dunstable, appeared in federal court in Boston and was released on conditions following his initial appearance.
The case centers on allegations that Panyanouvong failed to report more than $3.5 million in gross receipts from Viscosity Inc., the company he managed between approximately 2017 and 2019. Prosecutors allege this resulted in the business avoiding over $980,000 in federal income taxes.
According to charging documents, Panyanouvong used the alias “Mike Pan” and cashed more than $4.5 million in customer checks during this period. Authorities say much of this cash was used for off-the-books payroll for employees as well as personal payments to himself.
If convicted, Panyanouvong faces up to three years in prison, up to one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing would be determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston announced the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin A. Saltzman is prosecuting the case.
Officials emphasized that all details contained in the charging documents are allegations at this stage; Panyanouvong is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
