KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A professional racecar driver who lives in Leawood was indicted Wednesday on federal charges of failing to report millions in income from payday lending business he owned, according to U.S. Attorney Tom Beall. The defendant’s accountant was indicted, too.

Scott Tucker, 55, Leawood, Kan., is charged with one count of filing a false tax return, and W. Brett Chapin, 46, Shawnee, Kan., is charged with aiding in the filing of a false tax return.

The indictment alleges that in 2008 Tucker orchestrated a sham sale of his company CLK Management to the Miami tribe for $120,000. In fact, Tucker continued to control CLK and a new entity, AMG Services, Inc.

After the sale, other people and entities were listed as owners of Tucker’s payday lending businesses. In fact, Tucker controlled the daily operations of those business. He was the source of funds being lent and he bore the risk of loans not being repaid.

Tucker’s payday lending businesses included Ameriloan, Cash Advance, One Click Cash, Preferred Cash Loans, United Cash Loans, US FastCash, 500 FastCash, Advantage Cash Services and Star Cash Processing.

Chapin was a CPA who prepared Tucker’s tax returns for 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. On Oct. 19, 2009, Tucker signed a 2008 tax return prepared by Chapin that failed to report more than $42.5 million in income from Tucker’s payday lending businesses. On Oct. 20, 2011, Tucker signed a 2010 tax return prepared by Chapin that failed to report more than $75 million in income from Tucker’s payday lending businesses.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:
Conspiracy: Up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Filing a false tax return: Up to three years and a fine up to $250,000.
Aiding and abetting the filing of a false tax return: Up to three years and a fine up to $250,000.

The Internal Revenue Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Rask are prosecuting.