Woman facing tax charges

If a Newport Beach woman does not show up in court today on charges that she didn’t report millions of dollars’ worth of income on her tax returns, a judge will issue a warrant for her arrest, according to court records.

Jolene Engel, 59, failed to show up for court Tuesday, so she was ordered to court today for a hearing on a failure to appear. If she doesn’t go, she will likely be arrested.

Engel, along with her ex-husband, Richard, 65, failed to report a gross income of nearly $190 million from Richard’s company, Powerplant Maintenance Specialists Inc., based in Huntington Beach, according to the state tax board. They owe nearly $9 million in state corporate income taxes, officials said.

On top of that, the pair are accused of failing to report personal income on their taxes from 1998 to 2000. The two failed to report more than $12.2 million in personal income and owe more than $2 million in penalties, tax board officials said. The two live separately in Newport Beach, public records show.

The Engels face 14 felony charges with various enhancements for the crimes valuing more than $100,000, $500,000 or $1 million. They have both pleaded not guilty to charges of failing to file tax returns, then filing false ones underreporting their incomes.

Powerplant Maintenance Specialists Inc. installs and services boilers and pressure vessels for power plants.