Dhanesh Deoraj Ganesh, a 62-year-old man owning multiple businesses, bars, and nightclubs in the DFW area, has been federally charged with tax evasion dating back to 1992, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
Ganesh was indicted on Wednesday, January 17th, on five counts of tax evasion, one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. Following his arrest on Friday, he made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rebecca Rutherford on Monday.
The indictment alleges that Ganesh concealed his ownership in businesses using nominee names, such as his ex-wife, brothers, and sons. He did not maintain personal bank accounts and lacked signatory authority on accounts opened in the companies' names. Payments from these businesses were collected in check and cash form, with checks being cashed at check-cashing businesses and then used to purchase cashier's checks under $3,000.
Ganesh has not filed a personal or business income tax return since 1992, resulting in an alleged $1.6 million in unpaid taxes.
The scheme also involved the use of some restaurants and bars to sell cocaine. An indictment, however, is an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence, and Ganesh is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If convicted, he could face a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison for each tax evasion count, 20 years for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and 20 years for conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
The investigation was conducted by the IRS – Criminal Investigations’ Dallas Field Division, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Walters of the Northern District of Texas prosecuting the case.
