Politics & Government

Former Ford Assembly Plant Manager Indicted on Tax Evasion Charges

From at least 2001 to June 2004, Perry was the materials, planning and logistics manager for the Ford Assembly Plant in Hazelwood.

A former high-level employee of the Ford Motor Co. plant in Hazelwood is facing federal indictment on tax evasion charges for allegedly taking kickback payments and failing to report the money.

The United States Attorney’s Office announced March 30 that John Perry was indicted on tax evasion charges for failing to report kickback payments on his federal income taxes. 

According to the indictment, from at least 2001 to June 2004, Perry was the materials, planning and logistics manager for the Ford Assembly Plant in Hazelwood. He was responsible for approving Ford vendor invoices for expenses related to vehicle transportation and storage. 

Find out what's happening in Hazelwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Perry approved false and inflated invoices vendors submitted to Ford for transportation and storage expenses, according to the indictment. When Ford paid the invoices, the owner of the logistics company paid Perry a kickback, the indictment states.

Perry allegedly failed to report a large portion of these kickback payments on his federal income tax returns, and the indictment alleges that Perry also participated in an inflated lease scheme for which he received kickbacks. 

Find out what's happening in Hazelwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

While Perry was employed at Ford, Syms Trucking obtained a contract to provide transportation logistics work and yard management at the Hazelwood-based St. Louis Assembly plant. Perry is alleged to have directed Syms to make payments to him in exchange for allowing Syms to keep its contract with Ford, according to the indictment.

A large portion of these payments was not reported on his federal income tax returns. According to the indictment, from '01 through '04 Perry received in excess of $2 million from these schemes, causing a tax loss of $600,000.

Perry, 54, of Vermillion, OH, lived in Lake St. Louis at the time, according to the indictment, and a federal grand jury indicted him on four felony counts of tax evasion.

If convicted, each count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or fines up to $100,000, according to the indictment. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

In its time, the Ford plant in Hazelwood employed about 2,000 workers. Ford closed the facility in spring 2006. The plant has been demolished, and the site is now called Aviator Business Park. It is in development stage.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Hazelwood