A Santa Maria man's motion to reveal the identity of the confidential
informants who provided financial information to investigators regarding
the more than $36 million in unreported gross receipts for his business
was denied, according to the Franchise Tax Board (FTB).
Edward A. Sutti, 52, a farmer, under an 11-count indictment for
filing false state tax returns, failing to file state tax returns,
arson, intimidating a witness, making terrorist threats, lying to
an insurer, and lying under oath lost in his latest court hearing
yesterday.
Sutti's case is now scheduled to go to trial with jury selection
to begin October 3.
According to investigators, Sutti, who owns and operates several
farming businesses, filed false state income tax returns regarding
his business for 1994 through 1997, and failed to file returns for
1998 and 1999, in addition to the other charges.
If convicted of all charges, Sutti could receive up to nine years
in state prison. Sutti is currently free on $150,000 bail.
This is a joint case between the Santa Barbara County Fire Department,
Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office, the California
Department of Insurance, and the FTB.
Santa Barbara County Deputy District Attorney Jerry Lulejian is
prosecuting the case.
