Knopf sentenced 
on tax fraud charges

Former Newton attorney R. Eugene Knopf has been sentenced to pay more than $26,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to two felony criminal charges for failing to file state income tax returns.

Knopf was placed on probation for five years after District Court Judge Glenn Pille suspended two five-year prison sentences and two $750 fines. He pleaded guilty in February to two of the four counts of fraudulent practice in the second degree, a class D felony, filed against him in April of 2008. His sentencing was on June 5 in Polk County.

According to court records, Knopf intentionally committed fraud by failing to file state income tax returns for four straight years — in fiscal years ending in 2001 to 2004. Terms of Knopf’s probation included paying restitution for all tax, penalties and interest as determined by the Iowa Department of Revenue for all four tax years, which totals $26,414.26, according to court documents.

Although the fines associated with the case were suspended, Knopf also will have to pay $250 in law enforcement initiative surcharges in connection with the case.

Judge Pille ordered that Knopf remain on supervised probation until all his financial obligations are paid.