The owners of popular Jersey Shore pizza chain were arrested this morning at their Somers Point home by IRS-Criminal Investigation special agents on an indictment charging the couple with multiple counts of tax evasion and other offenses.

Charles and Mary Bangle, owners of Manco and Manco Pizza (formerly Mack and Manco Pizza), face a 30-count indictment charging the couple with one count of conspiracy to evade income taxes, five counts of income tax evasion for 2007 through 2011, and one count of making false statements to the IRS. Charles Bangle is also charged with 23 counts of structuring financial transactions to avoid reporting requirements. The Bangles are scheduled to appear on the charges this afternoon in Camden federal court.

According to the indictment unsealed today:

Manco & Manco Pizza – formerly Mack & Manco – is an iconic restaurant located in the heart of the Ocean City’s Boardwalk and maintains three stores on the Boardwalk and one store in Somers Point. Charles and Mary Bangle were employees of Mack & Manco Pizza until they purchased a controlling interest in 2011. Charles Bangle handled the day-to-day operations of the business and Mary Bangle was responsible for handling cash and payroll.

Between 2007 and 2011, Charles and Mary Bangle skimmed large sums of cash from the business. Charles Bangle deposited significant amounts of that cash into their personal bank account at TD Bank in amounts less than $10,000, the amount which triggers a Currency Transaction Report from financial institutions to the U.S. Department of Treasury.
The Bangles then used the money to pay for personal expenditures. They concealed approximately $981,000 in income from the IRS, which they had a legal obligation to report on their personal income tax returns. Had they accurately reported all their income to the IRS, the Bangles would have owed an additional $336,273.

The Bangles claimed the deposits into their personal checking account were from cash salary earned at the pizza business.

Each of the 30 counts of the indictment carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen, with the investigation.

 

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