Siharath Panyanouvong, a former manager of a Lowell temporary employment agency, was arrested and charged on Mar. 6 with aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of a false tax return. Panyanouvong, 56, of Dunstable, appeared in federal court in Boston and was released on conditions following his initial appearance.
The case centers on allegations that Panyanouvong failed to report more than $3.5 million in gross receipts from Viscosity Inc., the company he managed between approximately 2017 and 2019. Prosecutors allege this resulted in the company avoiding over $980,000 in federal income taxes.
According to charging documents, Panyanouvong—who also used the alias “Mike Pan”—is accused of cashing more than $4.5 million in customer checks during this period. Authorities say he used much of this cash for off-the-books payroll payments to employees as well as personal compensation.
If convicted, Panyanouvong faces up to three years in prison, up to one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing would be determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston announced the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin A. Saltzman is prosecuting the case.
Officials emphasized that “the details contained in the charging documents are allegations” and that “the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”