Camping and Fishing Outlet Owner Receives 15-Month Sentence for Tax Fraud

A San Antonio woman has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for tax evasion and aiding and abetting, according to an announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas.

Details of the Case

Rachel Olivia Markum, 41, pleaded guilty on May 28, 2024. Her husband, Robert Franklin Markum Jr., 47, also faced legal repercussions; he pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion on April 1 and was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison on August 28. The couple was jointly ordered to pay $359,108 in restitution.

“This sentencing underscores the serious consequences of defrauding the federal government through false tax returns,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “By concealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the IRS, this married couple betrayed the integrity of our tax system.”

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Fraudulent Tax Returns

Court records reveal that the Markums prepared and submitted a fraudulent Form 1040 joint tax return to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the 2016 calendar year. This return reported their only income as gross receipts or sales from their business, Camping and Fishing Outlet, totaling $3,530,473. However, Rachel Markum was aware that their actual gross receipts exceeded $4 million.

“Robert and Rachel Markum created false identities and businesses to hide their income from the IRS, but they failed to realize that money always leaves a trail. Their years in prison will give them an opportunity to reflect on their actions,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Lucy Tan for IRS Criminal Investigation’s Houston Field Office.

The sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the legal ramifications of tax fraud and the importance of maintaining integrity within the tax system.

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