A former business owner from Mecklenburg County has entered a guilty plea to felony tax charges. Trudi Ann Zangardi, 71, of Cornelius faced the charges in Wake County Superior Court this past Monday, as reported by the North Carolina Department of Revenue. Zangardi was accused of three felony counts related to aiding in the embezzlement of state property.
During her time as the sole member of The Zan Group, LLC, Zangardi was responsible for several businesses under the group, including Lake Norman Cottage, The Cabin, and The Barrel. Judge A. Graham Shirley II handed down Zangardi's sentence, which includes a suspended prison term of 16 to 29 months, as well as supervised probation for two years. It was demonstrated that from January 1, 2020, through March 31, 2022, Zangardi assisted the businesses that were under a duty to collect and remit sales taxes in North Carolina to abuse their power and convert approximately $59,742.31 for their own uses.
Zangardi had paid the full amount of restitution, $59,742.31, prior to entering her guilty plea. A sentence was subsequently suspended and Zangardi's placement on probation was ordered by the court upon the completion of the plea. Special agents from the Criminal Investigations Division in Raleigh led the investigation which concluded with Zangardi's charges. The case against her was carried forward by attorneys from the office of the Attorney General specializing in prosecutions.
Due to Zangardi's actions, the relationship between the taxpayers and the state is indicative of the broader responsibilities held by business owners, who are entrusted with the duty to forward taxes collected, not use them as a font of personal enrichment. The prosecution and resulting plea illuminate a vigilant effort from state officials to ensure fiscal responsibility and legal compliance amongst business entities. More about this case can be read on the North Carolina Department of Revenue website.
