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3 Plead Innocent in Tax Fraud Case: The former chief financial officer of Fresno-based Gottschalks and two other men have pleaded innocent to tax fraud charges. Robert Lawson and outside consultants Barry Schotz and John Nistico were arraigned in federal court in Fresno in connection with an alleged $1.6-million tax fraud scheme. Jack Farnesi, the retailer’s former controller, is expected to enter a plea later. Lawson and Farnesi were fired after Gottschalks announced the IRS investigation. Later, the men were accused of back-dating checks and other documents. Schotz and Nistico were in a San Diego consulting firm advising Gottschalks on an employee pension plan.