Latest Legal News from the Federal Criminal Courts in the United States

MAY 16, 2007

Amarillo Home Builder Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal Prison

Paul David Gillette Pled Guilty to Structuring Transactions

AMARILLO, Tx. — Paul David Gillette, a home builder in the Amarillo, Texas, area, was sentenced on Friday to 30 months in prison and fined $5000 by U.S. District Judge Mary Lou Robinson, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Gillette pled guilty in March to one count of structuring transactions to avoid reporting requirements. Following the sentencing, Judge Robinson remanded Gillette, 44, to the custody of the U.S. Marshals.

According to documents filed in Court, Falcon Club was a home development in rural Randall County that Gillette had planned. Individuals who wished to build homes at Falcon Club would contract with Gillette and make financial arrangements for their homes to be built.

Juan and Aida Rios contracted with Gillette to build a home and large building at Falcon Club. The Rioses partially paid for the property in large amounts of cash delivered to Gillette, or his agents. In fact, during 2005, the Rioses paid Gillette, or his agents, more than $650,000 in cash. Between June 2005 and November 2005, Gillette made more than 30 cash deposits totaling more than $200,000 to his various bank accounts at Amarillo National Bank and Western National Bank. Knowing that the bank was required to file a report if any deposit was more than $10,000, Gillette broke up the cash deposits to fall just under the reporting requirement. Gillette admitted he specifically structured the deposits to avoid the reporting requirement.