Biddeford man pleads guilty to tax evasion

PORTLAND – A 41-year-old Biddeford man has pleaded guilty to tax evasion for failing to report money on his tax returns that was embezzled from his employer.

Ricky Elie pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court to four counts of tax evasion for failure to include nearly $200,000 of embezzled money on his tax returns in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

Elie’s wife, 49-year-old Johanne Elie, pleaded guilty Monday to 72 counts of federal wire fraud and four counts of tax evasion involving money stolen from Provencher Fuels of Biddeford, where the Elies worked.

Prosecutors say the Elies used the stolen money on jewelry, recreational vehicles, boats, vacations, motorcycles, bicycles, art, food and sporting events and memorabilia.

Ricky Elie faces up to five years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 on each of the four tax evasion charges.