Albuquerque-area contractor sentenced in fraud case

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — An Albuquerque-area contractor has been ordered to spend 27 months in federal prison and pay more than $410,000 in restitution in a tax evasion and fraud case. Federal prosecutors say 38-year-old Joseph Dubois was sentenced this week. His prison term will be followed by three years of supervised release. Dubois, the owner and operator of Regency Development Group, was accused of evading taxes between 2011 and 2013 by opening and concealing a new bank account to circumvent tax liens. He also underreported income and gross receipts. Prosecutors say he also presenting a fictitious surety bond. The bond was required for renovation work his company was contracted to do for the Ramah Navajo School Board. Dubois pleaded guilty to the two charges earlier this year.