Hartlepool businessman splashed thousands on Las Vegas trip and Rolex watch in £1.2m tax fraud
A Hartlepool businessman who splashed out on a lavish Las Vegas trip and Rolex watch during a £1.2m tax fraud has been locked up.
Gary Briggs, the director of construction and demolition companies, made £1,255,559 in false VAT claims between June 2019 and February 2020, pocketing around £980,000.
Newcastle Crown Court heard he spent tens of thousands of pounds in Las Vegas over just four days, including at Caesars Palace iconic luxury hotel and casino and at the city's biggest exotic car dealer.
The 52-year-old grandad of Dalton Piercy, Hartlepool, who has previous convictions including dishonesty and fraud, admitted two charges of cheating the public revenue in relation to the VAT fraud.
He also admitted three charges of entering into a money laundering agreement in relation to just under £70,000 that he put into other people's bank accounts.
Prosecutor James Lake told the court there was a pattern of Briggs making “high value purchases and lavish spending”.
Mr Lake said: “He spent just over £5,000 at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas and there was further huge spending at Caesar's Palace over subsequent days, all paid for by the fraudulent VAT payments.
“There were £30,000 and £25,000 payments at Vegas Auto Gallery, which is Vegas' biggest exotic car dealer.
“There was also a Rolex watch.”
Briggs based his fraudulent VAT claims on a mixture of false invoices from real companies, and fake transactions between his two firms, the court heard.
In January 2020, he received a £117,000 VAT payment, which he took “no time” in spending, said Judge Gavin Doig.
Jailing Briggs for six years and ten months, Judge Doig said cheating the revenue is “stealing from all of us in this country” and affects government spending on vital services.
Caleb Suggitt, defending, said Briggs is a carer and provider for his family and has many responsibilities, as well as health problems of his own.
Mr Suggitt said business decisions made by others had placed Briggs in financial difficulties and he poses a low risk of harm to the public.
Briggs, who has since been self-employed in a construction business, handed in several positive character references.
Prosecutors have now started proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act.