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Ex-business owners plead guilty, agree to pay back taxes to state

HOLLIDAYSBURG — The owners of a former Blair County business have agreed to pay $18,738 in restitution to the state Department of Revenue to answer charges filed in connection with failure to pay state taxes.

Brian McCord, 78, Hollidaysburg, and Charles McCord, 71, Duncansville, who used to own three Dairy Queen restaurants, entered guilty pleas this week in Blair County court to 26 misdemeanor counts of failure to remit state sales tax, failure to collect personal income tax and failure to file employer withholding tax returns.

Judge Daniel Milliron accepted the pleas and ordered the restitution.

Milliron also sentenced each McCord to 10 years’ probation but agreed that the probation could be terminated after three years if the restitution is paid.

“We had been negotiating back and forth, and this was an offer the attorney general suggested,” said attorney James Huff who represented both McCords.

Huff said his clients intend to honor the agreement and make the restitution as soon as possible.

Deputy Attorney General Philip M. McCarthy prosecuted the case on behalf of the state.

“Highlighting these crimes brings attention to the seriousness of these offenses and deters others from committing similar crimes,” state Department of Revenue Secretary Dan Hassell said Friday in a statement his office released about the court action.

Based on criminal complaints filed by the state, the investigation started after a tax collector reported two years of unsuccessful attempts to get the McCords to pay the taxes or arrange payment plans.

After repeated attempts at contacting them, the collector turned the case over for criminal investigation, and charges were filed in July.

The McCord brothers formerly operated a Dairy Queen location at 3424 Sixth Ave. near Mansion Park. That location remains closed. They also operated Dairy Queens on Valley View Boulevard and in Duncansville but lost to bankruptcy, which made them available for purchase. Those two Dairy Queens now operate under the Fownko LP ownership group, according to partner H.T. Fownes.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 946-7456.

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