SAN FRANCISCO — Brian Fleury, 64, of Napa County, pleaded guilty in federal court to aiding in the filing of a false tax return related to his business, Metropolitan Wines, LLC, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Federal prosecutors said Fleury underreported more than $822,000 in income from 2014 to 2018. He instructed wine customers to pay him directly, labeled some invoices “OTB” (off the books), and failed to disclose the funds in tax filings.
In addition to the tax fraud, Fleury admitted to illegally producing and selling brandy under the label “9 Fiddy” from 2007 to 2019, resulting in a tax loss of $211,092.
The case underscores years of financial misconduct linked to Fleury’s Napa Valley operations. Sentencing will follow in federal court.
