Sentencing memo: Joplin/Carthage businesswoman who failed to pay $250,000+ in taxes should spend no time in prison

The lawyer for a Joplin businesswoman who pleaded guilty earlier this year of not paying federal taxes for her company does not think she spend any time behind bars.

In a sentencing memorandum filed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Ian A. Lewis, the public defender representing Karen Sue Lauridsen, 60, made his case for leniency for his client.

Ms. Lauridsen believes that a sentence of probation remains the most reasonable sentence pursuant to § 3553(a). She has proven her commitment to following the law and the Court’s orders. 

This is shown by her perfect conduct on pretrial release for the past 15 months. In this time, she has not only not caused the probation office any issues with drugs, flight, or additional crimes (which, sadly, is very common), but has worked two jobs and is ready and willing to begin paying back the restitution.

A sentence of probation would justly punish Ms. Lauridsen in that it sanctions her for her crime, but also recognizes that this is her first offense, she has behaved herself very well on pretrial release, and she is highly motivated to put right her wrongs.

The government's sentencing memorandum, which was filed Tuesday, recommended an 18-month sentence for Lauridsen, who admitted to not paying more than $250,000 she owed to the government.

Sentencing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 26 in Springfield.