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Oxford resident Samir Fattah, 55, has waived his right to be indicted and has pleaded guilty in federal court to filing a false tax return, John Durham, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut announced this week. He has been released on bond, pending sentencing.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Fattah and his father jointly owned Abu-Goush Market, doing business as International Farmers Market in Bridgeport. Durham said that Fattah was responsible for the store’s day-to-day operations, including making cash deposits into the business’ bank accounts.
During 2011, 2012 and 2014, without his father’s knowledge and approval, Fattah pleaded guilty to depositing hundreds of thousands of dollars of the grocery store’s net cash receipts into his personal bank accounts.
Fattah used some of the funds to pay the business’ expenses, but embezzled a total of $213,086 through the scheme. During that time, the money he embezzled resulted in a total tax loss of $54,067. Fattah, who was released on bond, is due back in federal court on Aug. 16, when he will face a maximum term of three years in state prison and a $100,000 fine. He has also been ordered to repay the United States Treasury the $54,067 in restitution for the taxes he failed to pay, including penalties.
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