CHICAGO (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — A Chicago promoter was hit with a 30 month prison sentence after being convicted of tax evasion and of taking money for concerts that didn't happen.
Manilen Mendoza, aka Manilen Mangaldan or Manilen Blake, a 45-year old Chicago woman of Filipino descent, operated a promotion company named Infinity Productions which subsequently became Prestige Entertainment, Inc., Filipino newspaper GMA News reported.
The indictment against Mendoza alleged that she had misused investor money intended to finance four concerts: Lionel Richie in California (2004), Olivia Newton John in the Philippines (2005), Stevie Wonder and Kenny Rogers in Illinois (2006). According to the indictment, none of these concerts took place and instead, Mendoza filed was funneled into her other businesses.
"Mendoza took investors' money and converted it to her personal use but failed to report the money she received from her entertainment business as income on her tax returns," IRS investigator Special Agent Maria Suarez said.
The indictment further alleged that Mendoza filed false tax returns and under-reported her income to the tune of $180,243.
Mendoza was reportedly convicted of numerous counts on the indictment and sentenced to 30 months in prison. GMA News reported that she immediately filed an appeal. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
