U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced James Fabius King, also known as Douglas Mesadieu, to a 12-month sentence for tax evasion. The sentence includes six months in federal prison and six months of home incarceration. Additionally, King is required to pay restitution amounting to $546,479, representing the losses incurred by the United States due to his actions. King entered a guilty plea on June 17, 2024.
Court documents reveal that King earned an income of $1,758,307 in 2013, resulting in a federal income tax liability of $546,479. From 2014 to 2017, King used nominee businesses to cover personal expenses and car payments for his $151,890 Audi R8 sports car. He also transferred ownership of three luxury vehicles—an Aston Martin, Rolls Royce, and Bentley—to a nominee business's name. These actions were intended to prevent asset seizure for settling his tax debt.
Ron Loecker, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation’s Tampa Field Office stated: “The dishonesty exhibited by the defendant is a clear violation of the laws we all abide by.” He emphasized the collective responsibility towards abiding by tax laws and noted that attempts to exploit the system would not be overlooked.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chauncey A. Bratt.