Date: March 17, 2022 Contact: newsroom@ci.irs.gov Keith Allan Bee, of San Tan Valley, Arizona, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge James A. Soto to six months in prison for filing a false tax return. Bee is a former Arizona state legislator and justice of the peace. Bee, who owns a company providing school bus transportation, had previously pleaded guilty to one count of willfully filing a false tax return. Bee admitted that during each tax year from 2011 to 2013, to reduce his company's profits and the taxes he owed on them, he inflated his business expenses by including personal expenses and the depreciation of personal assets as if they were costs incurred by his business. Those personal assets included several Ford Mustangs, a Chevrolet Corvette, and a Porsche. Bee agreed that the tax loss resulting from his conduct was $214,414. "Reporting income and paying taxes are important aspects of patriotism," observed U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino. "Let this case serve as a reminder that all people, no matter their rank and circumstance, may face prison time when they cheat on their taxes. Thanks to our partners at the Internal Revenue Service for pursuing these cases fairly and comprehensively." Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation in this case. The Financial Crimes and Public Corruption Section of the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
