sunseeker yacht tax evasion

Lakewood man who owned '68 yacht sentenced for tax fraud

LAKEWOOD, OH (WOIO) - A Lakewood man was sentenced to a six months behind bars and ordered to pay nearly $1.8 million restitution and fines for taking improper write-offs and not reporting taxable income.

Thomas G. Klocker, 47, was previously found guilty of four counts of tax evasion. In addition to jail time, U.S. District Judge James Gwin sentenced Klocker to six months of home confinement. Klocker was fined $500,000 and has paid nearly $1.3 million in restitution to the IRS.

"This defendant tried to take the government on a ride by claiming costs associated with cruises on his luxury yacht as business expenses," Rendon said. "Now he has to pay up, both financially and with his freedom."

Klocker was the sole shareholder and operator of All Metal Sales (AMS) in Westlake. He also operated TT Charter Leasing, which was in the business of chartering the luxury yacht "Tommy Time", according to court documents.

For example, between 2007 and 2010, Klocker diverted corporate funds from AMS for his own use. Prosecutors say he used the money from AMS to build a waterfront residence in Lakewood and to maintain his 68' Sunseeker yacht, as well as to pay for luxury travel and to make cash withdrawals.

He also misrepresented his personal expenses entered into AMS' books and records by falsely describing them as legitimate business expenses.

Download the  Cleveland 19 News app . 

Copyright 2016  WOIO . All rights reserved.

Teacher who resigned after her OnlyFans page was discovered says new employer fired her for violating social media policy

Ohio mom gets life without parole in death of young daughter, left alone while she went on vacation

Walmart, Target may be testing limits on self-checkouts

1 dead following Cleveland police officer-involved shooting; Victim’s ID released: Sheriff

‘He stole over $500k from me’: Westlake man confronts contractor at his home

DOJ: Local man tried to write off yacht on taxes

A Lakewood man is facing federal charges for allegedly writing off luxury expenses and not reporting more than $2 million in taxable income. 

According to the Department of Justice, 47-year-old Thomas Klocker was charged with four counts of tax evasion involving incidents from 2007 to 2010.

Authorities say Klocker was the sole shareholder and operator of All Metal Sales in Westlake. He also operated TT Charter Leasing, which was in the business of chartering the luxury yacht “Tommy Time."

Klocker allegedly diverted funds from All Metal Sales for his own personal use. 

Fore example, the Department of Justice alleges that Klocker diverted funds to construct a waterfront home in Lakewood and to maintain his 68-foot Sunseeker yacht. 

Officials say Klocker also owes at least $611,000 in taxes after underreporting his taxable income by more than $2 million in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Sign up for What Happened Now? - a daily email newsletter spotlighting the top news in the Cleveland area each day.

Now signed up to receive the what happened now.

Click here to see how we follow through

Lakewood businessman sentenced to prison, fined $500,000 for tax evasion

• Updated: Aug. 16, 2016, 7:34 p.m. |
• Published: Aug. 16, 2016, 6:34 p.m.
• Eric Heisig, cleveland.com

Federalcourthouse.jpg

A Lakewood businessman was sentenced to prison Tuesday for tax evasion.

(Eric Heisig/cleveland.com)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A Lakewood businessman and yacht company owner was sentenced Tuesday to six months in federal prison and fined $500,000 for tax evasion, after an Internal Revenue Service investigation showed that he used money from his companies for lavish vacations and personal expenses .

Thomas G. Klocker will also have to spend six months on home detention, U.S. District Judge Gwin ordered. Klocker has already paid more than $1.2 million in restitution.

The judge told Klocker that it was a "very calculated effort you made the cheat the government of taxes."

Klocker, 47,  pleaded guilty in May to four counts of attempting to evade or defeat taxes.

Prosecutors said Klocker took money from All Metal Sales of Westlake between 2007 and 2010 and used it to pay for personal expenses. He did not report this money to the IRS and used some of the money to build a lavish lakefront home in Lakewood.

Klocker also lied to his tax preparers and said his family vacations were business trips. He also reported losses with TT Charter Leasing, which advertises the use of a 68-foot yacht named "Tommy Time."

He also did not report more than $2 million in income, on which he owed $611,673 in taxes. The diverted money was listed in his All Metal Sales' books as legitimate business expenses.

A couple dozen supporters filled the courtroom's viewing gallery. Among those were Cleveland safety director and former police Chief Michael McGrath.

Klocker apologized to the judge and his family on Tuesday.

"I've worked very hard to correct my actions, and I can promise you this will never happen again," Klocker said.

Richard Blake, Klocker's attorney, unsuccessfully argued that a sentence of probation would be more suitable. He said the shame of being convicted of a felony and having to face the public is more of a punishment than prison, where "you relax with a bunch of other felons there."

He also said that Klocker has done a lot of good for the community, and given boat rides to celebrities such as Katy Perry. The singer and her entourage were on his yacht in 2011, when she was in Cleveland for a concert .

The Cleveland Police Foundation named Klocker as its man of the year for 2015.

If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Tuesday's crime and courts comments section .

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• The Attorney General
• Organizational Chart
• Budget & Performance
• Privacy Program
• Press Releases
• Photo Galleries
• Guidance Documents
• Publications
• Information for Victims in Large Cases
• Justice Manual
• Business and Contracts
• Why Justice ?
• DOJ Vacancies
• Legal Careers at DOJ

Lakewood man writes off expenses, including use of yacht and luxury world travel, to underreport income by $2 million

A Lakewood man was charged in federal court for taking improper write-offs and not reporting more than $2 million in taxable income, said Carole S. Rendon, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and Kathy Enstrom, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office.

Thomas G. Klocker, 47, was charged via criminal information with four counts of tax evasion. The counts cover the tax years 2007 through 2010.

“Nobody likes paying taxes, but we all have to pay our fair share, which includes being honest about deductions and expenses,” Rendon said. “Those who underreport their income and take improper deductions will be held accountable.”

“As this tax filling season comes to a close, we are reminded of our collective duty to accurately file and pay our taxes,” Enstrom said. “Those who willfully abscond from this duty will be pursued and brought to justice.”

Klocker was the sole shareholder and operator of All Metal Sales (AMS) in Westlake. He also operated TT Charter Leasing, which was in the business of chartering the luxury yacht “Tommy Time”, according to the information.

Klocker diverted corporate funds from AMS for his own use to benefit his personal lifestyle and avoid personal income liabilities between 2007 and 2010, according to the information.

For example, Klocker diverted funds from AMS to construct a waterfront residence in Lakewood and to maintain his 68’ Sunseeker yacht, as well as to pay for luxury travel and to make cash withdrawals. He reported substantial business losses arising from the operating costs and expenses arising from the personal use of the TT Charter Leasing yacht, according to the information.

He also misrepresented his personal expenses entered into AMS’ books and records by falsely describing them as legitimate business expenses. Klocker also provided false information to his tax-return preparers about expenses he described as business-related which were, in fact, personal in nature – including luxury travel with his family, according to the information.

Klocker underreported his taxable income by more than $2 million during tax years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. He owes at least an additional $611,000 in taxes for that period, according to the information.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

A charge is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Patton following an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Cleveland Field Office.

Related Content

Ciaran Dillon, 57, of Orlando, Florida, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment and ordered to pay a $25,000 fine by U.S District Judge Christopher A. Boyko after pleading guilty to...

Lateesha Black, 52, of Hudson, Ohio, was sentenced to 12 months and a day in prison by United States District Judge Benita Y. Pearson and ordered to pay restitution to...

On Friday, a federal jury convicted two Ohio men of tax, gambling, money laundering, conspiracy and obstruction crimes related to their operation of illegal gambling businesses in Canton and their...

An official website of the United States Government

• Kreyòl ayisyen
• Search Toggle search Search Include Historical Content - Any - No Include Historical Content - Any - No Search
• Menu Toggle menu
• INFORMATION FOR…
• Individuals
• Business & Self Employed
• Charities and Nonprofits
• International Taxpayers
• Federal State and Local Governments
• Indian Tribal Governments
• Tax Exempt Bonds
• FILING FOR INDIVIDUALS
• How to File
• When to File
• Where to File
• Update Your Information
• Get Your Tax Record
• Apply for an Employer ID Number (EIN)
• Check Your Amended Return Status
• Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)
• File Your Taxes for Free
• Bank Account (Direct Pay)
• Debit or Credit Card
• Payment Plan (Installment Agreement)
• Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)
• Your Online Account
• Tax Withholding Estimator
• Estimated Taxes
• Where's My Refund
• What to Expect
• Direct Deposit
• Reduced Refunds
• Amend Return

Credits & Deductions

• INFORMATION FOR...
• Businesses & Self-Employed
• Earned Income Credit (EITC)
• Child Tax Credit
• Clean Energy and Vehicle Credits
• Standard Deduction
• Retirement Plans

Forms & Instructions

• POPULAR FORMS & INSTRUCTIONS
• Form 1040 Instructions
• Form 4506-T
• POPULAR FOR TAX PROS
• Form 1040-X
• Circular 230

Scottsdale man convicted of tax evasion

More in our agency.

• IRS Organization
• A Closer Look
• Financial and Budget Reports
• Tax Statistics
• Do Business with the IRS
• What We Investigate
• Identify Tax Schemes
• Report Tax Fraud
• Voluntary Disclosure
• Investigation Process
• Press Releases
• Annual Report
• Freedom of Information Act
• Privacy Policy
• Civil Rights
• Vulnerability Disclosure Policy

Date: September 29, 2022

Contact:  [email protected]

Last week, Ryan C. Patterson, of Scottsdale, Arizona, was found guilty by a federal jury on three counts of Tax Evasion. Sentencing is scheduled for December 5, 2022, before United States District Judge John J. Tuchi.

Patterson, a contractor specializing in remodels, failed to accurately report his income between calendar years 2014 and 2016. He received checks from customers made out to him personally and then deposited the checks into his personal checking accounts. He also received payments in cash from customers that he failed to report. At trial, the government introduced evidence that Patterson failed to report over $1.9 million in gross income and avoided paying a combined total of $700,000 in taxes due over the span of the three charged tax years.

The evidence at trial revealed that Patterson reported a loss of $38,000 in 2016 despite, in the same year, purchasing a primary residence for $445,000 along with other lavish expenditures.

"The American tax system provides government services critical to our residents," said U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino. "Every time someone cheats the tax system, the burden of providing vital services increases for taxpayers who pay their fair share. The jury's verdict has sent a clear message that tax cheats will not be tolerated."

Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin M. Rapp and Aron Ketchel, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

•  Facebook
•  Twitter
•  Linkedin

How can we help you?

SUNSEEKER HERITAGE

WE BUILD DREAMS [1969]

Sunseeker Founder, Robert Braithwaite, dreamt of building a new kind of boat. Breaking boundaries in early boat design, Robert revolutionised the motor boat space with his early designs tailored to a handful of customers.

FATE CREATES OPPORTUNITY [1971]

In the early seventies, there were simply no significant builders of boats for the sports and leisure markets in the UK. The first craft to launch was the Sovereign 17 in 1971, closely followed by the Sovereign 20. By 1972, Sunseeker was exhibiting its boats at the Southampton Boat Show and keen to meet new customers. None other than Formula One driver Henry Taylor fell in love with the boats, but wanted to accommodate a full width sunbed. In an early example of Sunseeker giving customers exactly what they want, the team set about designing this unprecedented and ultimately successful new boat.

THE VOYAGE BEGINS [1972]

Robert’s younger brother John joined the business, and became influential in numerous award-winning designs as its Product Development Director, a role he retained for over 50 years until his retirement in 2019. Gaining momentum in the industry, Sunseeker were fulfilling the growing demand for sports cruisers, launching the Sports 23 and the Daycab 23.

MEETING THE MEDITERRANEAN [LATE 1970'S]

The Braithwaite brothers partnered with leading boat designer, Don Shead, to design a totally new kind of cruiser for the Mediterranean market. The Offshore 28 was the brainchild of this unique collaboration, the first of its kind made in Europe. Her innovative hull performance set the standard for performance crafts. Sunseeker International had arrived. 

AN ERA OF CONFIDENCE [1980'S]

Continuing to take cues from how their owners wanted to use their boats, Sunseeker was building exceptionally unique crafts. In the Portofino 31, the focus shifted from overnight accommodation to cockpits that could host large groups, yielding a wide and comfortable two-cabin boat that exuded style. Sunseeker had put the emphasis on enjoyment, fun and high performance, an era of confidence that manifested itself in the remarkable Tomahawk 37. Still loved to this day, this icon was yet another example of a practical boat delivering on absolutely everything Sunseeker promised.

IMAGINATION AND INNOVATION [1990]

The 90s introduced an era of style in boating. Sunseeker began to adopt soft shapes and curved silhouettes emerging in automotive design. Cue the Renegade 60, the first production boat with twin jet drives, combining performance, style and exceptional manoeuvrability. Sunseeker set the benchmark not just for imaginative boat design but increasingly, as one of the world’s leading boat builders.

A MILLENNIUM MILESTONE [2000]

The turn of the century saw Sunseeker set the pace with the launch of its then-largest ever motor yacht, the 105 Yacht, winner of two of the world’s most prestigious accolades at the International Superyacht Design awards. Advanced composite materials and the latest construction techniques created a new era of luxury boating. Ever larger superyachts followed such as the 37M Yacht, inspiring a new generation of yacht building. In 2015, Sunseeker celebrated the delivery of its 100th superyacht, marking several decades of Sunseeker innovation and craftsmanship.

THE SILVER SCREEN [2008]

Sunseeker appears in the fourth James Bond film, ‘Quantum of Solace’, with the 37 Metre Yacht, Superhawk 43, Sovereign 17 and a cameo appearance from Robert Braithwaite.

50 YEARS OF SUNSEEKER [2010]

Sunseeker celebrates its 50th anniversary. Sunseeker Predator 130 wins Showboats Design award for best Naval Architecture and becomes a finalist in the World Superyacht Awards. Combining raw power with sophisticated style, this two and a half deck Sport Yacht was designed for those who take pleasure from good taste.

SUNSEEKER FAMOUS FIVE [2021]

Sunseeker launch five new models together at the same time, the largest launch in company history. Friend of the brand Hugh Bonneville visits Poole shipyards to celebrate the arrival of the Manhattan 55, Predator 55 EVO, 65 Sport Yacht, 88 Yacht and 90 Ocean.

GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS

Sunseeker support the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Formula One Team for the 2018 Monaco Grand Prix, and enter into an official FIFA partnership for World Cup. In 2020, Sunseeker signs frame agreement with Rolls Royce for MTU engines.

THE FUTURE IS NOW [TODAY]

Sunseeker have continued to develop and perfect their yachts. Technical and design excellence has always been fundamental to the very fabric of  being a leading yacht manufacturer. Extensive new product development plan will double the Sunseeker range to 22 boats by 2023. Most recently, Sunseeker launched not one but five new models at the same time, reflecting the extraordinary pace of product development and a feat never before seen in the company’s history.

PRIMED FOR FUTURE GROWTH [TODAY]

Sunseeker continue to expand our first-class dealer network around the world. In 2021, Sunseeker appointed NextWave Yachting as new distributor serving Hong Kong, and OneWater Marine as the principal US distributor. This strategic change provides the ultimate support for clients as Sunseeker continues to grow.

TRIBUTE TO ROBERT BRAITHWAITE CBE, DL (1943 - 2019)

Founder. Pioneer. Visionary.

Robert Braithwaite Obituary

SUNSEEKER INNOVATION

Expert hands and extraordinary attention to detail. Passed from generation to generation, these are the most valuable skills required to make a Sunseeker. In an era of digital production and automated assembly, we stay committed to creating hand-built, hand-finished boats.

Dealer Locator

© 2024 Sunseeker. All Rights Reserved.

Ukraine Today .org

Today we are all ukrainian.

Desperate Vladimir Putin plunges 22 million Russians into darkness in bitter -22C winter

Moscow is to be plunged into darkness as putin ordered rolling blackouts amid freezing temperatures, according to reports..

By  TIM MCNULTY

07:54, Sun, Jan 14, 2024 | UPDATED: 11:39, Sun, Jan 14, 2024

Moscow to have ‘rolling electricity blackouts’ (Image: Getty)

Vladimir Putin has reportedly ordered rolling energy blackouts across Moscow as temperatures reach – 22C. The blackouts are said to cover the entire Moscow metropolitan area which has a total population of around 22 million. The order issued states that electricity is “not to exceed 12 hours per day” with the blackouts in place from January 14 through March 31 2024, according to  Ukraine  commentator Igor Sushko.

Sushko posted on X: “The entire Moscow metropolitan area, population 22 million, will have rolling blackouts of electricity “not to exceed 12 hours per day” from January 14 through March 31, 2024. – announced by the fascist state.”

It comes after a heating main ruptured at the Klimovsk Specialised Ammunition Plant in Podolsk, about 30 miles south of central Moscow, on January 4. As a result, tens of thousands of Russians are said to be without heat in their homes in the Moscow region due to subzero temperatures.

According to a map published by a Russian Telegram channel and circulated on various social media platforms, the affected areas include cities such as Khimki, Balashikha, Lobnya, Lyubertsy, Podolsk, Chekhov, Naro-Fominsk, and Podolsk.

Residents in Moscow, specifically Balashikha, Elektrostal, Solnechnogorsk, Dmitrov, Domodedovo, Troitsk, Taldom, Orekhovo-Zuyevo, Krasnogorsk, Pushkino, Ramenskoye, Voskresensk, Losino-Petrovsky, and Selyatino, are also experiencing power outages, according to other Russian media reports.

Power outages have been reported in St. Petersburg, Rostov, Volgograd, Voronezh, and Primorsky. Meanwhile, a huge fire t ore through a large warehouse  used by  Russia ’s largest online retailer south of St Petersburg on Saturday morning.

The blaze covered an area of 70,000 square meters, with 50,000 square meters of the Wildberries warehouse collapsing, according to  Russia ’s Emergency Situations Ministry. No casualties were reported.

Videos posted to social media appeared to show employees running down fire escapes and fleeing the scene. A video shot from a passenger jet flying nearby showed flames totally engulfing the warehouse, sending huge plumes of smoke into the sky.

(C)EXPRESS.CO.UK 2024

Share this news from Ukraine Today .org:

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)

Putin: We can better destroy our own grid ourselves…………………………………………………

And the hoarde just follows like blind idiots.

Vote for putler. He will cut your electricity bills for you.

12 hour a day blackouts for 10 weeks? Of course it will be back to normal a few days before the fake election. Perhaps we should send some drones to the north east and give them some of their own medicine….

What wonderful news. How many warmonger morons that are freezing their asses off and sitting in the dark are still for war? Instead of fixing the broken country, the idiots wage an expensive war.

You can bet your life that the area the siloviki live won’t suffer any power cuts.

Of course, not.

They still have warm feelings about killing Ukrainians and stealing their children. That should hold them over…..

they could always go to the front if they’re cold, it gets a bit hot there with the occasional blinding flash of light.

Enter comments here: Cancel reply

Discover more from ukraine today .org.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading