Businessman Admits to Embezzling State Funds in North Carolina
In a notable case of tax embezzlement, a businessman from Mecklenburg County has admitted to misappropriating North Carolina sales tax. The plea was entered in Wake County Superior Court, marking the culmination of an extensive investigation by state authorities.
On April 13, 2026, Prakash Mehta, 72, residing at 1108 Mesa Way in Waxhaw, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to three counts of Embezzlement of State Property. The charges stemmed from his role as the President and responsible party for Shivam, Inc, a business entity based in Charlotte.
Judge Thomas H. Lock of the Wake County Superior Court handed down a sentence that included a 16-month minimum to 29-month maximum prison term, divided into two separate judgments to be served consecutively. However, both sentences were suspended, and Mehta was instead placed on supervised probation for 24 months. Additionally, he is required to complete 120 hours of community service. It was confirmed that restitution of $200,901.12 was made before Mehta’s plea.
The court heard that between January 1, 2022, and March 31, 2024, Mehta facilitated the embezzlement of $200,901.12 in North Carolina Sales Tax. This was done through his business, Shivam, Inc, doing business as Highland Creek BP in Charlotte. Mehta’s duties included collecting, holding in trust, and remitting the sales tax to the North Carolina Department of Revenue.
The case was brought forward following a thorough investigation conducted by special agents from the Department’s Criminal Investigations Division in Raleigh. The prosecution was managed by Special Prosecutions attorneys from the Attorney General’s office.
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