January 21st, 2024 by WCBC Radio

Jason R. Svonavec 44-year-old of Rockwood pleaded guilty to two counts of tax evasion and filing a false income tax return before U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon in the U.S. Western District of Pennsylvania. In 2017, Svonavec illegally expensed the construction of his home in Somerset through entities he operates called Heritage Coal and Natural Resources LLC and Banshee Crane. A tax return filed in 2018 reporting false tax deductions for Heritage Coal and Natural Resources LLC involving his home. Svonavec is facing a maximum sentence of eight years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. However, under the federal sentencing guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based on the seriousness of the offenses and prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Svonavec's sentencing is scheduled on June 26 in the Johnstown federal court. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case. The Internal Revenue Service conducted the investigation.