Attorney accused of not paying taxes

The Utah State Tax Commission filed felony charges Wednesday against a Salt Lake City attorney for failing to remit employee payroll taxes.

The tax commission said in a press release that Brian W. Steffensen failed to remit nearly $100,000, including penalties and interest over the course of several years.

Steffensen was charged with one count of unlawful dealing of property by a fiduciary and one count of tax evasion, both second degree felonies.

"The attorney general's office and the Criminal Investigative Unit of the Tax Commission are both seriously concerned with employers who abscond with their employees' tax funds," said Charlie Roberts, Tax Commission spokesman. "Theft of these funds has a direct impact on honest taxpayers causing an increased tax burden on them when others refuse to pay."

Roberts added, "Any employers who have failed to remit their withholding or sales taxes, should contact the Tax Commission to resolve the matter and to avoid possible criminal prosecution."

— Cimaron Neugebauer