CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The owner of a Huntington bar pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to evading personal income taxes and employment taxes.

In addition to Kelly's Irish Tavern, Terry Bowling, 62, of Huntington, owns Med-Serv Inc., a Barboursville-based medical transport company that takes patients to medical appointments.

Bowling admitted he did not file personal income taxes between 2002 and 2006. Over this period, his taxable income was $368,604.02, and he failed to pay $77,682 to the Internal Revenue Service, according to court documents.

He also acknowledged that between 2002 and 2006, he failed to pay roughly $258,000 in employment taxes for the 10 to 20 people employed between the two businesses at any given time.

According to an affidavit filed by IRS Special Agent Matthew Schommer, the IRS received an anonymous letter on May 17, 2007. The letter, which showed detailed knowledge of Bowling's business dealings, alleged that Bowling was withholding employment taxes but not turning them over to the government.

"We, honest taxpayers are tired of this criminal throwing this situation in our face!!" the letter reads. "In fact he has less respect for [the IRS]!!! Just punch in his SS# and watch the red flags FLY!!! IF HE DON'T PAY WHY SHOULD WE?"

The tipster also suggested that Bowling had roughly $15,000 worth of Iraqi money in his safe, and that he planned to retire to either the Cayman Islands or Punta Cuna in the Dominican Republic.

Schommer could not find individual federal tax returns for Bowling since 1995, or state returns since 2002.

Court documents indicate that Bowling set up a separate business called Kelly's Irish Tavern II, to handle the funds from five video lottery machines he had installed at the bar in 2005.

Over two years, gamblers inserted almost $450,000 into the machines, which resulted in $122,000 in profits. Bowling's share was about $30,000, Schommer wrote.

U.S. District Judge Robert C. Chambers scheduled Bowling's sentencing for April 6. Bowling faces up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $500,000.

Reach Andrew Clevenger at acleven...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1723.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The owner of a Huntington bar pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to evading personal income taxes and employment taxes.

In addition to Kelly's Irish Tavern, Terry Bowling, 62, of Huntington, owns Med-Serv Inc., a Barboursville-based medical transport company that takes patients to medical appointments.

Bowling admitted he did not file personal income taxes between 2002 and 2006. Over this period, his taxable income was $368,604.02, and he failed to pay $77,682 to the Internal Revenue Service, according to court documents.

He also acknowledged that between 2002 and 2006, he failed to pay roughly $258,000 in employment taxes for the 10 to 20 people employed between the two businesses at any given time.

According to an affidavit filed by IRS Special Agent Matthew Schommer, the IRS received an anonymous letter on May 17, 2007. The letter, which showed detailed knowledge of Bowling's business dealings, alleged that Bowling was withholding employment taxes but not turning them over to the government.

"We, honest taxpayers are tired of this criminal throwing this situation in our face!!" the letter reads. "In fact he has less respect for [the IRS]!!! Just punch in his SS# and watch the red flags FLY!!! IF HE DON'T PAY WHY SHOULD WE?"

The tipster also suggested that Bowling had roughly $15,000 worth of Iraqi money in his safe, and that he planned to retire to either the Cayman Islands or Punta Cuna in the Dominican Republic.

Schommer could not find individual federal tax returns for Bowling since 1995, or state returns since 2002.

Court documents indicate that Bowling set up a separate business called Kelly's Irish Tavern II, to handle the funds from five video lottery machines he had installed at the bar in 2005.

Over two years, gamblers inserted almost $450,000 into the machines, which resulted in $122,000 in profits. Bowling's share was about $30,000, Schommer wrote.

U.S. District Judge Robert C. Chambers scheduled Bowling's sentencing for April 6. Bowling faces up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $500,000.

Reach Andrew Clevenger at acleven...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1723.