Long Beach lobbyist Carl Kemp pleads guilty to failing to pay taxes on income

A Long Beach-based lobbyist, whose clients included illegal marijuana stores in the city, pleaded guilty Monday to filing a false tax retu and failing to report more than $750,000 in income over a six-year period.

Carl A. Kemp, owner of the public relations firm The Kemp Group and a former Long Beach City Council candidate, was charged last month in Los Angeles with subscribing to a false tax retu for the year 2012. The count carries a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison, according to the U.S. Attoey’s Office.

Kemp, 43, admitted in his plea agreement to receiving a total of $754,783 in income that he failed to report on his taxes for the years 2007 through 2012.

Kemp also admitted that he owes the Inteal Revenue Service $210,661 to cover the back taxes due for those six years, as well as a civil fraud penalty, according to the document.

“All forms of income are taxable, including cash payments received from illegal marijuana dispensaries and fees paid for lobbying services,” said Anthony J. Orlando, IRS Criminal Investigation acting special agent in charge. “Those Americans who file accurate, honest and timely retus can be assured that the govement will hold accountable those who don’t.”

U.S. District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez set a Nov. 7 sentencing date.

When he agreed last month to plead guilty, Kemp posted an apology on his Facebook page, saying, “I made some irresponsible mistakes and I am prepared to deal with the consequences. I regret the impact that those mistakes are having on my family, however, I never misrepresented anyone that trusted me enough to advocate for their issues.”

His attoey, Robin Perry, echoed that sentiment in Idea last month, when Kemp was charged.

“Carl Kemp has done a lot of good things for the community,” Perry said. “Regrettably, he made mistakes with his financial affairs. He is now owning up to those mistakes and taking responsibility for those actions.”

Kemp in 2014 sought to represent the 5th City Council District. He was endorsed by a number of groups, including the city’s police and fire unions, but ultimately lost the race to Stacy Mungo.

He is also the uncle of San Diego Padre and former Los Angeles Dodger Matt Kemp.

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