Vehicle purchases detailed at trial

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Jan 29, 2008 by Steve Fry

By Steve Fry

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Michael Cooper spent thousands of dollars buying vehicles - from sports cars, a Mercedes-Benz and motorcycles to all-terrain vehicles and tractors - from 1998 to 2000, the accountant for Renaissance, The Tax People, testified last week in federal court.

On the company books, all were listed as merchandise for resale, the accountant said. But, she acknowledged, Renaissance, The Tax People, didn't sell vehicles.

Cooper spent $405,859 in two years, the last just days before federal officers served search warrants at Renaissance business sites in Topeka, for vehicles of all kinds, according to court records.

Today kicks off the third week of a six-week trial for Cooper, 53, who faces 148 federal felonies alleging he attempted to defraud the Internal Revenue Service and Renaissance customers.

The stable of vehicles surfaced on Thursday and Friday during questioning of Sheryl Tasker, the former accountant for Renaissance, by assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Rask.

The purchases started Sept. 1, 1998, and ended Sept. 26, 2000, according to court records.

Tasker first testified about a 1993 Dodge Viper, a two-seater sports car, purchased by Cooper for $42,000 on Dec. 31, 1998.

Other cars purchased included a 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL500R for $69,500; a 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL600R for $25,000; a 2000 Plymouth Prowler sports car for $33,000; a 2000 Ford Excursion for $19,300; a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban for $23,115; a 1998 Dyna-Wide Glide Harley- Davidson motorcycle; a 2001 Ecstasy Renegade three-wheel motorcycle for $35,055; three 1999 Honda ATVs valued at $11,957; and four tractors of various sizes costing a total of $59,680.

Each was purchased with a Renaissance check, Tasker said. On company accounting books, the cars, sport utility vehicles, ATVs, motorcycles and tractors were listed as merchandise purchased to be resold, Tasker said.

During questioning by Cooper defense attorney John Jenab, Tasker said some company vehicles were used for Renaissance business. The Dodge Viper was displayed at promotional events for the company, she said.

Cooper would drive a tractor hauling a trailer transporting spectators at events, and company security and other employees would use ATVs during company events.

Steve Fry can be reached at (785) 295-1206 or steve.fry@cjonline com.