Brian Fleury, a 64-year-old resident of Napa County, has pleaded guilty in federal court to aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return for the 2016 tax year. The case involves Metropolitan Wines, LLC, a winery owned by Fleury and his spouse.
Court documents reveal that from 2014 to 2018, Fleury underreported income earned by Metropolitan Wines. He directed some customers to pay him directly rather than the winery and marked invoices with "OTB" for "off the books." This led to an underreporting of $822,450 in income over those years.
Additionally, Fleury admitted to failing to pay federal excise taxes on brandy he received and sold between 2007 and 2019. His reports to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) falsely claimed no wine was used for distilling or spirits were sold. In reality, he transferred wine for distillation into brandy and sold it under the name “9 Fiddy.”
The total tax loss caused by Fleury's actions amounts to $211,092.
Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins announced the plea alongside IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agents Linda Nguyen and Kareem Carter, as well as Anthony P. Gledhill from TTB.
Fleury faces up to three years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of aiding in preparing a false tax return under 26 U.S.C. § 7206(2). Sentencing is set for August 13, 2025, before Senior U.S. District Judge Maxine M. Chesney.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Helen L. Gilbert is prosecuting with Kathy Tat's assistance following an investigation by IRS-CI and TTB with FBI support.