Marion financial planner sentenced to federal prison for tax evasion

Matthew Westberry failed to file tax returns for 8 years and owes over $264,000 in restitution

Jan. 29, 2026 at 7:47pm

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A 43-year-old Marion financial planner, Matthew Westberry, has been sentenced to 3 months in federal prison and ordered to pay over $264,000 in restitution to the IRS for failing to file income tax returns for 8 years and owing nearly $1.5 million in unpaid taxes. Westberry was contacted by authorities in 2013 about the delinquent taxes but never paid, and then stopped filing returns altogether from 2014-2021.

Why it matters

This case highlights the consequences for financial professionals who deliberately evade paying their taxes over an extended period, even after being contacted by authorities. It also raises questions about oversight and accountability measures for financial planners to ensure they are properly fulfilling their tax obligations.

The details

Westberry pleaded guilty in July 2026 to two counts of failure to file a tax return. He admitted to not filing returns from 2006-2012, despite being contacted by the IRS in 2013. After filing delinquent returns for 2008-2013, Westberry then stopped filing returns altogether from 2014-2021, during which time he had a gross income of nearly $1.5 million. Westberry also forged IRS lien releases to try to remove liens placed on a property he had agreed to purchase.

  • Westberry was contacted by tax authorities in 2013 about his delinquent taxes.
  • Westberry pleaded guilty to the charges on July 22, 2026.
  • Westberry was sentenced on January 30, 2026 to 3 months in federal prison.

The players

Matthew Westberry

A 43-year-old financial planner from Marion, Iowa who failed to file income tax returns for 8 years and owes over $264,000 in restitution to the IRS.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

The federal agency that contacted Westberry in 2013 about his delinquent taxes, placed liens on a property he had agreed to purchase, and is owed over $264,000 in restitution.

Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration

The federal agency that investigated Westberry's tax evasion case along with the IRS.

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What’s next

The judge will determine if Westberry will be allowed to serve his 3-month prison sentence in home confinement.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of financial professionals, like Westberry, fulfilling their tax obligations and the serious legal consequences they can face for willfully evading taxes over many years, even after being contacted by authorities.