California: Veterinarian Sentenced to Prison Over Tax Evasion; Won't Be Jailed Until After Tokyo Olympics

By Joshua Summers First Posted: May 25, 2021 03:41 AM EDT

California Veterinarian Jack Ray Synder was sentenced to six months in federal prison and six months on home detention on Monday after pleading guilty for tax evasion. The sentence was made by U.S. District Judge William Shubb from the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of California. According to The Sacramento Bee, Judge Shubb permitted Synder to report to prison after working at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.

The Sacramento Bee reported that Synder, who treated horses in at least five Olympic games, had faced a prison term of up to five years. The U.S. Department of Justice noted that that the case filed against the veterinarian was a product of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.

California Veterinarian Goes to Tokyo Olympics Before Going to Prison

It was reported that Synder pleaded with Judge William Judge for sentence probation that would permit him to continue treating animals and still work for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. The Sacramento bee noted that Judge Shubb agreed to allow Synder to report to prison on August 17, or nine days after the Tokyo Olympics.

Apart from the Tokyo Olympics permit, Synder's lawyer also pleaded with the court of California not to impose any jail time on the veterinarian, arguing that he can do better on society outside prison.

"I'm asking the court to not impose any jail time, put Dr. Synder's on probation, allow him to pay a fine," said Synder's lawyer, James Lassart. Lassart also argued that detaining Synders is not necessary, while committing that the veterinarian will not do the crime again. Lassart furthered that the veterinarin and his family has "suffered greatly" with humiliation.

However, The Sacramento Bee emphasized that Judge Shubb was not convinced with the arguments, asking Synder's lawyer how a sentence of probation would deter others from similar crimes.

California Veterinarian Sentenced for Tax Evasion

Apart from the probation sentenced to Jack Ray Synder, he was also fined $30,000 for tax evasion, South Tahoe Now.com reported. Moreover, the former Truckee, California resident was ordered to pay $134,497 in restitution and $100,000 for every eight counts in the original indictment.

According to court documents, Synder allegedly underreported his income for 2011, 2012, and 2013. The Department of Justice also noted that the veterinarian also deducted items that were not deductible between 2011 and 2014; hence, the additional tax liability of $134,497.

South Tahoe Now.com reported that during those years, Synder was the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in the UC Davis Center for Equine Health.

In 2014, UC Davis sued Synder for making more than one million from outside the university while working for the school. The university claimed that Synder went to great lengths to hide the money.

The Sacramento Bee noted that initially, the California veterinarian blamed his assistant for his tax evasion trouble. Synder, who was permitted to attend the Tokyo Olympics, was reported to plead guilty in August.

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