<sh>McLean Business Owners Sentenced
<bt>Stanley H. Zabel, co-owner of Swimming Pool Doctor in McLean, was sentenced Friday, Jan. 27 in U.S. District Court for violation of federal income tax laws.
In an attempt to hide cash and income from the IRS, Zabel and co-owner H. Kent Street structured $67,000 in deposits and withdrawals at the McLean and Tysons Corner branches of Cardinal Bank, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
“Structuring” involves illegal splitting of cash deposits or withdrawals into smaller amounts to avoid a bank’s discovery of large cash transactions. Banks must report cash deposits or withdrawals of more than $10,000 to the IRS, according to the Department of Justice’s press release.
U.S. District Court Judge Leonie M. Brinkema ordered Zabel, 56 of Alexandria, to pay more than $66,231in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service and sentenced him to 60 days incarceration followed by two years probation, according to the press release.
U.S. District Court Judge Gerald Bruce Lee sentenced Street to 60 days in prison, followed by four months of home detention last November. Street was ordered to pay $148,081 in restitution to the IRS.
Zabel and Street were sentenced for violating personal income tax laws as well as violating federal law prohibiting individuals from structuring cash transactions in an attempt to prevent a financial institution from filing Currency Transaction Reports with the IRS.
<sh>Join Friendship Project for the Summer
<bt> Make an impact towards peace by hosting two teens from Northern Ireland! The Children’s Friendship Project for Northern Ireland (CFPNI) is seeking local families to help further the peace and reconciliation effort in Northern Ireland where division continues. Consider hosting a Protestant and Catholic youth (ages 15 to 18) for four weeks this summer. To be eligible, families must provide a safe, neutral setting for the teens to get to know one another, a single bedroom for them to share, and day-long supervision.
The teens participate in various activities designed to build trust, encourage cooperation and break down barriers. The majority of their time is spent getting to know each other and joining the family in its normal routine.
CFPNI is a non-political, non-denominational, and all-volunteer peace program aimed at building trust, understanding and friendship among the next generation of leaders in Northern Ireland. Applications to host must be submitted by April 8 2006. To obtain a host family application or to learn about our fundraising event on March 11, contact Tamera Drozd at 703-255-1628 or Melinda Grochowski at 703-478-6291 or email us at nvacoordinator@cfpni.org.
For more information about this program visit the website at www.cfpni.org.
<sh>Public Information and Comment Meeting.
<bt>On Wednesday, Feb. 15, the Fairfax County Park Authority is providing an opportunity for citizens to comment on proposed fee changes for 2006. The meeting is at 7 p.m. in Room 106/107 on the first floor in the Herrity Building, 12055 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax. Citizens can comment via parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov or send their comments to: Attention Public Information Office/Fee Comments, Fairfax County Park Authority, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 927, Fairfax, VA 22035-1118. Written comments will be accepted through Feb. 28.
Information regarding proposed fee changes can be found at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/feehearing.htm. Copies of the fee proposal are also available for review at the Park Authority offices in the Herrity Building and at staffed park facilities, including all recreation centers, golf courses, nature centers and historic sites through Feb. 28.
Citizens who wish to speak at the meeting may pre-register at 703-324-8662. Registration is not required prior to speaking. To request a sign language interpreter or other special accommodations, call 703-324-8563 or 703-324-3988 TTY at least one week prior to the meeting.
<sh>Boy Scout Fundraiser
<bt>Boy Scout Troop 55 is having their annual fundraiser. They will be selling mulch and Romantica pizza coupons. Hardwood mulch in 3 cubic foot bags can be delivered to your home. The minimum order is 20 bags and prices are as follows: 20-49 bags for $4.50 a bag; 50-99 bags for $4.10 a bag; 100+bags for $3.80 a bag. Romantica pizza cards are $10 a card. Buy one free pizza and get the second pizza free. Please contact Cameron or Brad Hodge from Troop 55 at LHodge7@cox.net or at 703-757-3357.