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Vehicle repair shop owner pleads guilty to federal tax charge

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A San Luis Obispo business owner pleaded guilty Monday to a federal charge of failing to pay employment taxes.

The IRS says John Silveria Villa, 60, failed to pay $489,551 in federal income taxes and Federal Insurance Contributions Act taxes from his auto repair shop. Instead, federal investigators say he used the funds to pay creditors and to cover other business expenses.

Villa is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 10, 2020. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

He has reportedly agreed to pay $244,000 toward his restitution before sentencing, and is expected to be ordered to pay a total of $489,551 in restitution.

Villa is the owner of Villa Automotive.