Yoga to the People Founder Sentenced Four Years Prison Tax Fraud

Gregory Gumucio, the founder of the international yoga chain "Yoga to the People," was sentenced to four years in prison and ordered to pay $2.7 million in restitution after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud the IRS by evading over $2.5 million in taxes from 2012 to 2020. His business, which operated about 20 locations across the U.S. and internationally, generated over $20 million in revenue before closing four years ago amid expansion plans. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton remarked that Gumucio built a profitable yoga empire but refused to pay his taxes. At the time of his arrest, prosecutors noted Gumucio had multiple aliases, Social Security numbers, and places of birth, and had been arrested 15 times. The business initially operated on a pay-what-you-can model and had a notable roster of instructors, but allegations surfaced near its closure about Gumucio's tax evasion, manipulation of students and instructors, and use of racial slurs. These issues contributed to the downfall of the business despite its previous success and expansion ambitions.