A former Vancouver Pride Society treasurer made a first court appearance Jan 14 on charges that he was involved in understating the taxable incomes of 235 clients to a total of almost $782,091.

The six counts under the federal Income Tax Act were laid against Auguste Christiane von Pfahlenburg-Marienburg.

They were sworn by a Canada Revenue Agency investigator.

The first count alleges von Pfahlenburg-Marienburg, between February 2005 and November 2008 was involved in making false statements in the income tax returns of 74 clients of the 2003-2007 taxation years. The sworn statement alleges that the clients' taxable income was understated by $676,148.91.

The second charge alleges von Pfahlenburg-Marienburg, between December 2002 and August 2008, understated the taxable income of seven clients by $1,685.96.

Count three alleges von Pfahlenburg-Marienburg understated the taxable income of 17 clients in 2004 to the sum of $6,600.60 between December 2003 and August 2008.

The fourth count alleges 35 clients' taxable incomes were understated by $29,286.53 between December 2004 and August 2008.

Charge five alleges von Pfahlenburg-Marienburg, between December 2005 and August 2008 was involved in making false statements in the income tax returns of 52 clients of the 2005-2008 taxation years. The sworn statement alleges that the clients’ taxable income was understated by $33,859.52.

The final charge alleges von Pfahlenburg-Marienburg, between December 2006 and November 2008, understated the taxable income of 50 clients by $34,509.46.

Under the Income Tax Act, anyone found guilty of such charges may be subject to a fine of not less than 50 percent, and not more than 200 percent, of the amount of the tax sought to be evaded, or both a fine and a maximum of two years in jail.

Xtra West’s efforts to contact von Pfahlenburg-Marienburg through online directories, old businesses and acquaintances were unsuccessful up to press time.

He returns to court Feb 4.