NASCAR Team Owner Haas Pleads Guilty to Defrauding IRS

Not the first time we’ve seen a NASCAR figure square off with the law, another member of the racing world has been caught with his hands in the cookie jar.

Gene Haas, team owner of NASCAR’s Haas CNC Racing, has pleaded guilty to charges of defrauding the government to the tune of $34 million in taxes.

Haas, founder and president of Haas Automation, has been a fixture on the American racing scene since his company first got involved back in 1995. Haas Automation has worked as a technical partner for teams of the IRL, and CART racing series’ as well as NASCAR. His North Carolina based NASCAR team currently boasts a driver lineup of veteran Jeff Green and up-and-comer, Johnny Sauter.

Pleading guilty to felony conspiracy charges, Haas attempted to dupe the IRS by listing phony business expenses that saved his company millions. In addition to paying a fine, back taxes, and interest totaling over $70 million, prosecutors are recommending that Haas receive two-years in a federal lock-up.