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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Bend businessman pleads guilty to claiming fake donations

Associated Press

PORTLAND – A Bend businessman accused of declaring fake charitable donations in an IRS return has pleaded guilty.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reported that Stephen Munson on Monday pleaded guilty, acknowledging that the IRS lost more than $2.4 million because of a false tax return in 2008. He also admitted that losses for an additional bankruptcy fraud charge against him are about $7.5 million.

Munson, who sold his controlling interest in Vulcan Power Co. in 2008 for nearly $15 million, received a refund of more than $407,000 after he fraudulently claimed a $3.2 million credit for charitable donations.

He has agreed to pay restitution for all losses caused by his alleged fraud.