Grower Pleads Not Guilty to IRS Bribery Charges

One of the wealthiest farmers in Southern California turned himself in Thursday to a San Diego federal judge to face a 22-count indictment on tax evasion charges that involve the purported bribing of an IRS agent.

The April 14 indictment states that Sundar Mario Saikhon evaded the payment of more than $10 million in federal income tax. Saikhon, 58, of El Centro, pleaded not guilty to charges of bribery, tax evasion, filing a false tax return, assisting in the preparation of a false return, aiding and abetting, and conspiracy to defraud the United States.

U.S. District Judge Robert C. McKee ordered Saikhon booked on all charges but released him on a $5-million bail bond secured by two trust deeds of La Jolla properties owned by Saikhon and his wife.

According to a prepared statement by the U.S. attorney’s office, Saikhon owns property in La Jolla, El Centro, Santa Barbara and New York City.

Saikhon allegedly was able to evade taxes by bribing convicted IRS agent Robert A. Morales Sr. and his accountant, Robert Morales Jr.

Morales Sr., 62, a 30-year IRS employee, pleaded guilty to two felony counts and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Robert Morales Jr., 28, also pleaded guilty to two felony counts and was sentenced to three years and five months in prison.

Prosecutors allege that the elder Morales single-handedly audited Saikhon’s tax returns in exchange for $647,518 in bribes paid to cover up the tax records of cash paid to “ghost” employees, diverted to offshore banks or funneled to bogus firms set up Morales Jr.

Saikhon was ordered to surrender his passport, not to travel into Mexico and to appear in federal court Monday for a hearing. Saikhon faces a maximum of 102 years in prison and/or a miultimillion-dollar fine. The indictment contends that he also owes $10 million in back taxes, which, with late fees and penalties, has reached more than $20 million.