Owner of 2 Lenny’s Burger Shop in metro Phoenix pleads guilty to filing false tax return

PHOENIX — The owner of two metro Phoenix burger shops pleaded guilty Wednesday to filing false tax returns across at least three years, authorities said.

Leonard Fleszar of Lenny’s Burger Shop filed federal personal income tax returns between at least 2015 and 2017 that underreported the taxable income from the restaurants, according to court documents.

Fleszar underreported about $450,000 in 2015, $475,000 in 2016 and $605,000 in 2017.

The moves created tax losses of about $560,000 over the three years.

Fleszar will have to pay $689,475 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service as part of his plea.

The maximum term of imprisonment for one count of filing a false income tax return is three years.

He could also face a fine of $250,000 and probation of up to five years.

Sentencing for Fleszar is scheduled for July 7.

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