Hermitage couple sentenced for tax-fraud conspiracy

PITTSBURGH

Chief U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti has placed a Hermitage, Pa., couple on probation for tax-fraud conspiracy and ordered each defendant to pay $35,805 in restitution.

On Monday, Eric Graven, 57, vice president of Custom Stone and Tile Inc., was fined $4,000, given three years’ probation and ordered to perform 150 hours of community service.

His wife, Barbara, 58, company president, was fined $2,000 and given two years’ probation.

The couple conspired to evade federal income tax by intentionally failing to report their business’ cash earnings between 2005 and 2008, the U.S. Attorney said. The IRS investigated the case.