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Internal Revenue Service

Bank Manager From Pine Bush Sentenced For Hiring A Hitman To Murder Brother-In-Law Bank Manager From Pine Bush Sentenced For Hiring A Hitman To Murder Brother-In-Law
Bank Manager From Pine Bush Sentenced For Hiring A Hitman To Murder Brother-In-Law A Hudson Valley bank manager is headed for federal prison after pleading guilty to plotting to hire a hitman to murder her own brother-in-law. Orange County resident Reshma Massarone, age 40, of Pine Bush, a hamlet of Crawford, was sentenced to 9.5 years in prison and three years of post-release supervision on Wednesday, Aug. 28, said Damian Williams, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.  “The defendant devised a chilling plan to have a member of her own family murdered for the low price of ten thousand dollars," said Williams. "Her plan was unthinkably heartless. For th…
CPA Firefighting Hero From Bergen Admits Role In $650,000 Tax Dodge CPA Firefighting Hero From Bergen Admits Role In $650,000 Tax Dodge
CPA Firefighting Hero From Bergen Admits Role In $650,000 Tax Dodge 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A decorated veteran Bergen County firefighter admitted in federal court on Wednesday that he and his business partner conducted a blatant tax dodge on behalf of a bunch of construction companies that employed their New York accounting firm. Jack N. Sardis, 66, of Englewood Cliffs admitted that he schemed to con the IRS with his partner, George Sanossian, 70, of Scarsdale, out of a small CPA office in a massive Westchester County shopping center. Sardis also offered to do business elsewhere, telling one client "I can meet you at my firehouse,” according to an IRS complaint. The clie…
$100M Scheme: Cortlandt Manor Man Known As 'Magician' Nabbed In One Of Largest Ever Frauds $100M Scheme: Cortlandt Manor Man Known As 'Magician' Nabbed In One Of Largest Ever Frauds
$100M Scheme: Cortlandt Manor Man Known As 'Magician' Nabbed In One Of Largest Ever Frauds A New York man known as "the Magician" has been charged in connection with one of the largest-ever tax fraud schemes by a tax preparer, federal officials announced. Northern Westchester County resident Rafael Alvarez, of Cortlandt Manor, has been charged in connection with a $100 million tax fraud scheme involving tens of thousands of federal individual income tax returns with false information, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Monday, April 15.  According to federal officials, from 2010 to 2020, Alvarez, also known as "the Magi…
Darien Resident's IRS Payments Stolen Out Mailbox, Cashed By Thief, Police Say Darien Resident's IRS Payments Stolen Out Mailbox, Cashed By Thief, Police Say
Darien Resident's IRS Payments Stolen Out Mailbox, Cashed By Thief, Police Say A Fairfield County resident who mailed two checks to pay his taxes was surprised when he received word from the Internal Revenue Service about non-payment of his bill. The Darien resident then contacted the police in May 2023, who found that someone had stolen his checks out of his mailbox and cashed them with another name on the payee line. An investigation led Darien Police to the Morris County Correctional Center in New Jersey to arrest David Velazquez, age 28, of Warren, New Jersey. According to Darien Police Sgt. Dan Skoumbros, Velazquz had allegedly taken the checks out of the m…
Long Island Business Owner Sentenced For Hiding Income, 'Off-Books' Payrolls, More Long Island Business Owner Sentenced For Hiding Income, 'Off-Books' Payrolls, More
Long Island Business Owner Sentenced For Hiding Income, 'Off-Books' Payrolls, More A Long Island woman must pay hundreds of thousands of dollars of restitution and spend over two years behind bars after she filed false tax returns, hid money from the government, and more, officials said. Lorraine Pilitz, age 65 of Merrick, received her 33-month sentence and orders for restitution on Friday, Jan. 19, the United States Attorney’s Office Eastern District of New York announced. Pilitz was the owner and operator of several car-related businesses on Long Island at the time of the crimes, which happened between 2011 and 2013, the USAO said. The IRS requires that financial in…
Hudson Valley Man Gets Jail Time For Stealing $500K From Retirement Accounts Hudson Valley Man Gets Jail Time For Stealing $500K From Retirement Accounts
Hudson Valley Man Gets Jail Time For Stealing $500K From Retirement Accounts A former financial advisor from the Hudson Valley will spend years in prison for his role in a scheme to steal from a retirement fund sponsored by a labor union for law enforcement employees. Putnam County resident Andrew Brown, age 56, of Putnam Valley, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for defrauding members of the Law Enforcement Employees Benevolent Association (LEEBA), a labor union for law enforcement officers employed by New York City, the US Attorney's Office for Southern District of New York announced on Wednesday, Jan. 17.  Earlier Report - $500K Scheme: Putnam Vall…
$600K Fraud: CT Tax Preparer Gets Prison Time For Including Fake Expenses In Returns $600K Fraud: CT Tax Preparer Gets Prison Time For Including Fake Expenses In Returns
$600K Fraud: CT Tax Preparer Gets Prison Time For Including Fake Expenses In Returns A Connecticut man will spend years in prison for including false expenses on income tax returns for clients, federal officials announced.  David Etienne, a 49-year-old New London County tax return preparer based in Norwich, was sentenced to two years in prison on Wednesday, Jan. 17 for a tax fraud offense, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  According to federal officials, Etienne worked through several businesses, including Los Maestros Inc., Los Maestros Group, Tax Experts USA, and Tax Experts USA Inc. Between the 2012 and 2021 tax…
CT Accountant Steals $25K From Client, Police Say CT Accountant Steals $25K From Client, Police Say
CT Accountant Steals $25K From Client, Police Say A Connecticut accountant faces larceny charges after stealing $25,000 from one of his clients, police announced. Carl Anderson, who owns Anderson Accounting and Finance LLC, was arrested in Litchfield County by New Milford Police on Friday, Dec. 22 following a lengthy investigation, the department announced on Wednesday, Dec. 27.  The investigation, conducted by New Milford Police, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Connecticut Department of Banking, determined that Anderson stole $25,000 from one of his clients, according to authorities.  Following his arrest, Anderson was ch…
$2M NJ Scammer Who Claimed Dead People As Biz Partners Gets 3 Years, No Parole $2M NJ Scammer Who Claimed Dead People As Biz Partners Gets 3 Years, No Parole
$2M NJ Scammer Who Claimed Dead People As Biz Partners Gets 3 Years, No Parole UPDATE: A scammer from Sussex County who fraudulently collected more than $2 million in federal funds by identifying people who'd been dead for more than a decade as business partners must spend the next three years in federal prison. John Jhong, 54, of Sparta, actually submitted bogus applications for more than $15 million in federal pandemic aid earmarked to help struggling companies during COVID-19, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Jhong "turned these vital relief programs into his personal ATM," spending the more than $2 million he illegally collected on personal expenses, the U.…
Wilton Contractor Admits To Tax Offense: Provided False Invoices To IRS Wilton Contractor Admits To Tax Offense: Provided False Invoices To IRS
Wilton Contractor Admits To Tax Offense: Provided False Invoices To IRS A contractor from Fairfield County faces prison time after admitting to providing fabricated invoices and letters to the Internal Revenue Service, federal officials announced.  Wilton resident David Anspach, age 67, pleaded guilty to a tax offense in Hartford federal court on Wednesday, Nov. 15, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  According to federal officials, Anspach operates a construction and remodeling business. As a result of a civil audit of Anspach's 2013 tax return, the IRS found that his business receipts were un…
TAX CHEAT: Owner Of NJ Construction, Real Estate Companies Admits Stiffing IRS By $236,000 TAX CHEAT: Owner Of NJ Construction, Real Estate Companies Admits Stiffing IRS By $236,000
TAX Cheat: Owner Of NJ Construction, Real Estate Companies Admits Stiffing IRS By $236,000 The owner of New Jersey construction and real estate companies admitted ducking $239,999 worth of federal income taxes, authorities said. Salvatore Caravella, Jr. of Kinnelon didn't report $692,185 in self-employment income he earned from his businesses on his personal tax returns, a complaint filed by the Internal Revenue Service says. Caravella's companies included 2-C Construction Company Inc., Bella Construction of North Jersey LLC and 203 Harrison Street LLC, according to the complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Newark. Caravella oversaw all aspects of the businesses’ operat…
CT Man Gets Prison Time For Tax Evasion: Ordered To Pay Over $160K To IRS CT Man Gets Prison Time For Tax Evasion: Ordered To Pay Over $160K To IRS
CT Man Gets Prison Time For Tax Evasion: Ordered To Pay Over $160K To IRS A 61-year-old Connecticut man will spend time in prison for filing a false tax return and providing false documentation to an Internal Revenue Service attorney, federal officials announced.  Tolland County resident David Kamal, age 61, of Stafford, was sentenced on Monday, Sept. 11 to eight months in prison for tax evasion, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  Earlier Report - CT Man Charged With Tax Fraud, Obstruction, ID Theft Offenses According to federal officials, Kamal, a former Hebron resident, purposefully evaded taxes for the 2012 tax…
$500K Scheme: Hudson Valley Man Stole From Retirement Accounts $500K Scheme: Hudson Valley Man Stole From Retirement Accounts
$500K Scheme: Hudson Valley Man Stole From Retirement Accounts A former financial advisor from the Hudson Valley has been convicted of participating in a scheme to steal from a retirement fund sponsored by a labor union for law enforcement employees.  Putnam County resident Andrew Brown, age 55, of Putnam Valley, was convicted of defrauding members of the Law Enforcement Employees Benevolent Association (LEEBA), a labor union for law enforcement officers employed by New York City, the US Attorney's Office for Southern District of New York announced on Wednesday, May 31.  Brown, along with former LEEBA President and New York State Tr…
Bogus Bean Counter Admits Pilfering $1.5M From Non-Profits In Englewood, JC, Elsewhere In NJ Bogus Bean Counter Admits Pilfering $1.5M From Non-Profits In Englewood, JC, Elsewhere In NJ
Bogus Bean Counter Admits Pilfering $1.5M From Non-Profits In Englewood, JC, Elsewhere In NJ A Hudson County woman admitted posing as a certified public accountant to con more than 100 private schools, religious institutions and other non-profit organizations in New Jersey out of $1.5 million, federal authorities said. Among those scammed by Yezenia Castillo, 46, of Hoboken, were a non-profit corporation dedicated to providing affordable housing to Englewood residents and a private elementary and intermediate school in Jersey City, a complaint on file in U.S. District Court in Newark says. Posing as a CPA, Castillo got hired “to provide various financial and accounting services" th…
Bankruptcy Fraud: Former Attorney From Bronxville Lied To Keep Home, Sports Car, Officials Say Bankruptcy Fraud: Former Attorney From Bronxville Lied To Keep Home, Sports Car, Officials Say
Bankruptcy Fraud: Former Attorney From Bronxville Lied To Keep Home, Sports Car, Officials Say A former attorney from Westchester faces possible prison time after allegedly submitting false bank records to bankruptcy court in an effort to keep his multi-million dollar home and Aston Martin sports car, federal officials said.  Bronxville resident John Roesser, age 52, was arrested on Tuesday morning, March 28 on charges that he allegedly lied to bankruptcy court and the Internal Revenue Service about receiving millions of dollars in order to receive bankruptcy protections while still keeping his assets and not paying his bills, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Souther…
New Canaan Resident Used Investor Funds To Pay Taxes, Credit Card Expenses, Gets Prison Time New Canaan Resident Used Investor Funds To Pay Taxes, Credit Card Expenses, Gets Prison Time
New Canaan Resident Used Investor Funds To Pay Taxes, Credit Card Expenses, Gets Prison Time A current Fairfield County resident formerly from New Haven County will spend years in prison for tax evasion and defrauding investors by using their funds to pay his personal expenses. New Canaan resident Brian Hughes, age 58, formerly of Madison, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison on Monday, March 6 for defrauding investors of two companies, and for tax evasion, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  The charges stem back to March of 2015 when Hughes founded Handcrafted Brands, LLC (HBC), in order to raise money to purchase the alcoholi…
$2.1M Scam: Newtown Business Owner Who Served Fairfield County Homeowners Faces Prison Time $2.1M Scam: Newtown Business Owner Who Served Fairfield County Homeowners Faces Prison Time
$2.1M Scam: Newtown Business Owner Who Served Fairfield County Homeowners Faces Prison Time A home renovation business owner from Newtown faces years in prison after admitting to failing to report millions in revenue. Newtown resident Thomas Saint, age 67, admitted to one count of tax evasion in Bridgeport federal court on Wednesday, Feb. 22, according to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut.  Saint, the sole owner of Tom Saint Painting and Remodeling LLC which provides painting and renovation services to homeowners in Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven counties, admitted to depositing business checks and cash into his personal bank account between …
Fake 'Marine' Who Conned Elderly Bucks Couple For $320K Learns Fate Fake 'Marine' Who Conned Elderly Bucks Couple For $320K Learns Fate
Fake 'Marine' Who Conned Elderly Bucks Couple For $320K Learns Fate The conman who posed as a US Marine Corps veteran to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from an elderly couple in Bucks County is going to prison.  Marc Cheeseman, a 50-year-old Silverdale resident, was sentenced to five to seven years in a Pennsylvania state prison in a hearing on Thursday, Jan. 19, District Attorney Matthew Weintraub said in a statement.  Cheeseman previously pleaded guilty in September to several felony theft charges and one misdemeanor count of impersonating a veteran, the DA said.  In court, prosecutors argued that he carried on a yearslong scheme t…
Repeat Watertown Lottery Winners Not So Lucky In Federal Court: DOJ Repeat Watertown Lottery Winners Not So Lucky In Federal Court: DOJ
Repeat Watertown Lottery Winners Not So Lucky In Federal Court: DOJ There was no one quite as lucky as the Jaaffar family of Watertown. The father and his two sons cashed in more than 14,000 winning lottery tickets to the tune of $21 million in prize money to make them some of the state's biggest winners every year for nearly a decade. And what was their unbeatable system?  They cheated, a federal court ruled.  Ali Jaafar, 63, and Yousef Jaafar, 29, were found guilty on Friday, Dec. 9, of conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and of filing a false tax return, the US Attorney for Massachuset…
CT Attorney Specializing In Personal Injury Admits To Tax Evasion, Must Repay IRS $750K CT Attorney Specializing In Personal Injury Admits To Tax Evasion, Must Repay IRS $750K
CT Attorney Specializing In Personal Injury Admits To Tax Evasion, Must Repay IRS $750K An attorney based in Connecticut faces jail time after admitting to tax evasion.  Wallingford resident Mark Carbutti, age 48, who is an attorney specializing in personal injury law, pleaded guilty to tax evasion on Thursday, Dec. 1, according to the Connecticut US Attorney's Office.  For several years starting in 2013, Carbutti only made limited payments of the over $585,000 he owed the Internal Revenue Service as a result of his legal practice and rental income for tax years 2013 through 2017. As a result, he also owed interest and penalties that accrued during this time as well,…
NJ Tax Preparer Admits Helping Dozens Of Clients Cheat IRS Out Of $500,000 NJ Tax Preparer Admits Helping Dozens Of Clients Cheat IRS Out Of $500,000
NJ Tax Preparer Admits Helping Dozens Of Clients Cheat IRS Out Of $500,000 A Union County tax preparer admitted that she helped dozens of clients cheat the government out of nearly a half-million dollars, federal authorities said. Nehemie Leon, of Roselle, worked for Preferred Tax Choice in Irvington, records show. While there, Leon admitted in court, she “fabricated and inflated” certain tax credits, itemized deductions, expenses, and exemptions for a host of clients, said Tammy Tomlins, the acting special agent in charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation’s Newark Field Office. Altogether, Leon prepared more than 100 individual returns for 31 clients, Tomlins said. …
Don't Be Fooled: Westchester County Police Warn Against Fake Phone Call Scam Don't Be Fooled: Westchester County Police Warn Against Fake Phone Call Scam
Don't Be Fooled: Westchester County Police Warn Against Fake Phone Call Scam The Westchester County Police Department is warning of fake phone calls involving scammers posing as officers with the department.  The fake calls come from scammers claiming to be a lieutenant with Westchester County Police who suggest that the victim may be in violation of "a new 'federal DNA mandate,'" according to police.  The caller will then tell the victim that a warrant has been issued for their arrest but that they can clear the warrant by buying five "MoneyPaks," or prepaid debit cards, from a local store and depositing $500 on each card, police said.  Then, t…
Father-Son Owners Of Hudson Valley Car Dealership Sentenced For Fraud Father-Son Owners Of Hudson Valley Car Dealership Sentenced For Fraud
Father-Son Owners Of Hudson Valley Car Dealership Sentenced For Fraud A father and son who own a Hudson Valley car dealership are heading to federal prison for their role in a multimillion-dollar tax and bank fraud scheme. Orange County residents Mehdi and Saaed Moslem, owners of the Exclusive Motor Sports dealership in Central Valley, were sentenced to eight years and three years in prison, respectively, in federal court in White Plains Monday, Oct. 17. Earlier Report: Father/Son Owners Of Area Auto Dealership Charged With Tax, Bank Fraud The pair was previously found guilty of defrauding their lenders and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) following …
Woman Who Owns Danbury Grocery Store Sentenced For $400K Tax Offense Woman Who Owns Danbury Grocery Store Sentenced For $400K Tax Offense
Woman Who Owns Danbury Grocery Store Sentenced For $400K Tax Offense An owner of a Fairfield County grocery store was sentenced for a tax fraud offense that caused the IRS a loss of more than $400,000. Lizbel Sanchez, of Brookfield, was sentenced on Tuesday, Oct. 18, to two years of probation and ordered to pay a $400,000 fine, according to Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut. Sanchez pleaded guilty on April 14 to one count of willful failure to collect or pay over taxes, Avery reported. Earlier report - Woman Who Operates A C-Town In Danbury Admits To Failure To Pay Taxes Sanchez is a minority owner…
Bucks Man Causes $1.5M In Damage Stealing Copper Wire From Old Power Plants To Resell: Feds Bucks Man Causes $1.5M In Damage Stealing Copper Wire From Old Power Plants To Resell: Feds
Bucks Man Causes $1.5M In Damage Stealing Copper Wire From Old Power Plants To Resell: Feds A 43-year-old Bucks County man has been charged with causing at least $1.5 million in damage to old power plants while stealing copper wire, authorities said. The crimes were allegedly committed at four coal-fired power plants in Pennsylvania and Maryland, according to US Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero. Michael Garrison, of Croydon, PA, was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to destroy an energy facility, eight counts of wire fraud, two counts of destruction of an energy facility, and one count of filing a false tax return, Romero said. S…
Church Premieres Doug Mastriano's 2X Canceled Controversial Film And The Internet Is Pissed Church Premieres Doug Mastriano's 2X Canceled Controversial Film And The Internet Is Pissed
Church Premieres Doug Mastriano's 2X Canceled Controversial Film And The Internet Is Pissed A mega-church along a Pennsylvania highway has decided to play host to both the so-called Mastriano Movie "The Return of the Patriot: The Rise of Pennsylvania!" and a discussion with the producer Dr. Steve Turley. Its star is State Senator and Republican candidate for Pennsylvania Governor, Doug Mastriano.  The film apparently debuted at the Christ Community Church located at 1201 Slate Hill Rd, Camp Hill, Saturday, July 16, according to a Facebook post by the church advertising a 65 percent off coupon for tickets.  The film premiere has been canceled at two different venues but the reaso…
CPA From Passaic County Admits Scheme To Hide $150,000 From IRS CPA From Passaic County Admits Scheme To Hide $150,000 From IRS
CPA From Passaic County Admits Scheme To Hide $150,000 From IRS A CPA from Passaic County admitted trying to hide $150,000 from the taxman with a little help from a friend. His unidentified pal compensated William Kawam, 57, of Hewitt, for his accounting services by giving him a credit card belonging to one of the friend’s businesses, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Kawam racked up $146,605 in charges from 2015 through 2017 that neither he nor his friend reported, Sellinger said. The scheme shortchanged the Internal Revenue Service by $54,400, he said. Kawam, a former partner at SKC & Co. LLC in Boonton, took a deal from the government rat…
Greater Boston Area Contractor Sentenced For $1.8M Payroll Tax Scheme Greater Boston Area Contractor Sentenced For $1.8M Payroll Tax Scheme
Greater Boston Area Contractor Sentenced For $1.8M Payroll Tax Scheme An Ipswich man who ran several Massachusetts businesses was sentenced to a one-year house arrest for manipulating his payroll to avoid paying over $1.8 million in taxes, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts reports.  George Vasiliades, age 58, increased his business profits by lying about the size of his companies to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from 2008 to 2013, the office reports.  Some of his businesses included Alpine Property Services, Boston Central Management, Delta Labor Company, Olympic Painting & Roofing and Turnpike General Contracting, the office repor…
Owners Of Popular Philly Cheesesteak Joint Plead Guilty In Tax Fraud Scheme Owners Of Popular Philly Cheesesteak Joint Plead Guilty In Tax Fraud Scheme
Owners Of Popular Philly Cheesesteak Joint Plead Guilty In Tax Fraud Scheme The owners of a popular Philadelphia cheesesteak joint pleaded guilty Monday, May 9 to federal charges in a tax fraud scheme, authorities said. Anthony Lucidonio, Sr., 84, of Philadelphia, and Nicholas Lucidonio, 56, of New Jersey, the owners of Tony Luke’s on Oregon Avenue were accused of hiding more than $8 million from the IRS for around a decade, according to the US Attorney's Office. Federal prosecutors say the father-son duo did this by paying their employees in cash to avoid withholding payroll taxes between 2006 and 2016. The pair were indicted in 2020. The pros…
Don't Fall For It: Alert Issued For Scam Emails Claiming To Be From IRS Don't Fall For It: Alert Issued For Scam Emails Claiming To Be From IRS
Don't Fall For It: Alert Issued For Scam Emails Claiming To Be From IRS Tax Day has come and gone, but the Internal Revenue Service is cautioning of opportunistic fraudsters who have been targeting taxpayers through email scams. In recent weeks, some Americans have reported that they've received emails purportedly from members of the IRS phishing for personal information through both professional and personal accounts. According to reports, the emails have been coming from spam accounts and address taxpayers at the top of the email with the term “dear user,” and no specific name. Related story - IRS May Charge Penalty If You're In One of These Categories…
Former Yale Med School Employee Admits Stealing, Selling $40 Million In Electronics Former Yale Med School Employee Admits Stealing, Selling $40 Million In Electronics
Former Yale Med School Employee Admits Stealing, Selling $40 Million In Electronics A former Yale University School of Medicine employee has admitted to stealing $40 million in computer and electronic hardware from the university. Jamie Petrone, age 42, pleaded guilty on Monday, March 28, to wire fraud and filing a false tax return, according to Leonard Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. Petrone is a former resident of Naugatuck in New Haven County, and she currently resides in Georgia, Boyle said.  Beginning in about 2008, Petrone worked for the Yale University School of Medicine's Department of Emergency Medicine and most recently w…