Branson businessman pleads guilty to tax evasion

A Branson business owner pleaded guilty Wednesday to his role in a tax evasion conspiracy worth more than $1.8 million, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Missouri.

David D. Large, 51, was a partner in a travel club, first called Vacation Travel Outlet and later called Vacation Service of America, from 2000 to 2004, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Large was sales manager for the business, which sold travel club memberships claiming to offer discounts on airfare, cruises, hotels, golf, rental cars and condominiums.

Large admitted not filing federal income tax returns for tax years 2000-04, saying he and co-conspirators attempted to conceal $1,803,728 in income from the Internal Revenue Service. The group received their profits from ownership of the company through withdrawals and checks from the company bank account made payable to "cash," according to the release.

He also admitted to withdrawing money in small batches, so as not to trigger reports to federal agencies required for transactions of $10,000 or more.

Along with agreeing to pay the taxes owed, plus any interest and penalties, Large is subject to up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.