Tag:

Tax Evasion

Update: Westchester-Based Accountant Nabbed In Tax Fraud Scheme Was Longtime Firefighter Update: Westchester-Based Accountant Nabbed In Tax Fraud Scheme Was Longtime Firefighter
Update: Westchester-Based Accountant Nabbed In Tax Fraud Scheme Was Longtime Firefighter A Westchester-based accountant who admitted participating in a multi-million dollar tax evasion scheme with his partner was a volunteer firefighter who served for almost three decades, including during 9/11.  Certified public accountants New Jersey resident Jack Sardis, age 66, of Englewood Cliffs in Bergen County, and his partner, George Sanossian, age 70, of Scarsdale, both admitted to scheming with their clients to reduce tax liabilities through a shell company, leading to over $2 million in unreported cash transactions, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of…
$2M Scheme: Westchester Accounting Firm Partners Admit To Tax Fraud Conspiracy $2M Scheme: Westchester Accounting Firm Partners Admit To Tax Fraud Conspiracy
$2M Scheme: Westchester Accounting Firm Partners Admit To Tax Fraud Conspiracy Two New York accounting firm partners have pleaded guilty to a multi-million dollar tax evasion scheme.  Click here for a new, updated story - Update: Scarsdale-Based Accountant Nabbed In Tax Fraud Scheme Was Longtime Firefighter Westchester County resident George Sanossian, age 70, of Scarsdale, and New Jersey resident Jack Sardis, age 66, of Englewood Cliffs, both certified public accountants, admitted to conspiracy to defraud the IRS by scheming with clients to reduce tax liabilities through a shell company, leading to over $2 million in unreported cash transactions.  The tw…
$500K Scheme: Owner Of Westchester-Based Company Stole From Retirement Accounts $500K Scheme: Owner Of Westchester-Based Company Stole From Retirement Accounts
$500K Scheme: Owner Of Westchester-Based Company 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…
‘Drug Dealer In White Coat’: NY Pharmacist Admits Illegally Distributing Opioids ‘Drug Dealer In White Coat’: NY Pharmacist Admits Illegally Distributing Opioids
‘Drug Dealer In White Coat’: NY Pharmacist Admits Illegally Distributing Opioids A New York pharmacist is facing decades in federal prison after admitting that he made hundreds of thousands of dollars by illegally distributing opioid medications. Long Island resident Daniel Russo, age 44, of the village of Cedarhurst in Nassau County, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including conspiring to distribute and possess oxycodone, in federal court in Brooklyn on Friday, Feb. 17. Federal prosecutors said Russo, who owned and operated Russo’s Pharmacy in Far Rockaway, Queens, conspired with other medical professionals and employees to fill fraudulent prescriptions for oxycod…
Sex Cult Leader At College In Westchester Draws 60-Year Sentence Sex Cult Leader At College In Westchester Draws 60-Year Sentence
Sex Cult Leader At College In Westchester Draws 60-Year Sentence A man who put a group of college students through sexual, psychological, and physical abuse after moving into his daughter's dorm room in Westchester County will spend the rest of his life in prison.  Earlier Report - Sarah Lawrence Sex Cult Leader In Bronxville Found Guilty On All Charges Larry Ray, also known as Lawrence Grecco, was sentenced to 60 years in prison on Friday, Jan. 20 for leading a sex cult out of Sarah Lawrence College located near the border of Bronxville and Yonkers, according to Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. …
Westchester Man, Partner Sentenced For Roles In $1M Ponzi Scheme Westchester Man, Partner Sentenced For Roles In $1M Ponzi Scheme
Westchester Man, Partner Sentenced For Roles In $1M Ponzi Scheme A Westchester County man and his business partner have been sentenced for their roles in a nearly decade-long $1-million Ponzi scheme. White Plains resident James Doyle, age 74, and Carl Carro, age 61, of Walton, Delaware, were convicted of defrauding investors in New York and throughout the nation. On Thursday, Jan. 12, Carro was sentenced to four to eight years in prison, and Doyle was sentenced to five years probation, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced. As part of their respective sentences, Carro and Doyle agreed to pay a total of more than $1 million in judgments …
Fairfield County Investment Advisor Failed To Report $1.4M In Profits To IRS, Feds Say Fairfield County Investment Advisor Failed To Report $1.4M In Profits To IRS, Feds Say
Fairfield County Investment Advisor Failed To Report $1.4M In Profits To IRS, Feds Say An investment advisor from Fairfield County is being accused of failing to report more than $1.4 million in profits to the IRS, federal authorities announced. Thomas Pacilio, age 64, of Westport, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty on Thursday, Jan. 5 to a federal tax offense, Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, said. According to court documents and statements made in court: In 2011, Pacilio and his partner started Clapboard Hill …
NY Businesswoman Convicted Of Obstructing IRS, Filing False Tax Returns NY Businesswoman Convicted Of Obstructing IRS, Filing False Tax Returns
NY Businesswoman Convicted Of Obstructing IRS, Filing False Tax Returns A New York businesswoman is facing federal prison time after being convicted of obstructing the IRS and filing false tax returns. Long Island resident Lorraine Pilitz, age 64, of Merrick, was found guilty on all five counts against her by a federal jury in Central Islip Wednesday, Nov. 9, following a two-week trial. Federal prosecutors said between 2011 and 2013, Pilitz, who owned several automotive businesses on Long Island, regularly structured cash deposits in a way that allowed her to avoid filing financial reports that are required for all transactions over $10,000. The scheme resulte…
Ex-Owner Of NY Commercial Check Cashing Companies Sentenced For $9.5M Fraud Scheme Ex-Owner Of NY Commercial Check Cashing Companies Sentenced For $9.5M Fraud Scheme
Ex-Owner Of NY Commercial Check Cashing Companies Sentenced For $9.5M Fraud Scheme The former owner of several check cashing businesses in New York is heading to federal prison after admitting to a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme. Long Island resident John Drago, age 58, of Central Islip, was sentenced to four years behind bars Friday, Oct. 21, in federal court in Central Islip. It followed his September 2021 guilty plea to fraud charges, in which he admitted to illegally structuring financial transactions and evading payroll taxes at several of his Long Island businesses. Federal prosecutors said between January 2010 and October 2013, Drago told employees to cash multi…
Ex-Hudson Valley Bagel Shop Owner Sentenced For $2M Scam Ex-Hudson Valley Bagel Shop Owner Sentenced For $2M Scam
Ex-Hudson Valley Bagel Shop Owner Sentenced For $2M Scam A former Hudson Valley resident is heading to federal prison for defrauding prospective franchisees of his bagel company. Joseph Smith, age 57, formerly of Fishkill in Dutchess County, was sentenced to three and a half years behind bars after pleading guilty in February 2022 to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and tax evasion. Federal prosecutors said between 2014 and 2016, Smith sold more than 160 franchises of his company, New York Bagel Enterprises Inc., to individuals in Pennsylvania and other states. The problem, prosecutors said, was that Smith misled operators by guarantee…
Sarah Lawrence Sex Cult Leader In Westchester Found Guilty On All Charges Sarah Lawrence Sex Cult Leader In Westchester Found Guilty On All Charges
Sarah Lawrence Sex Cult Leader In Westchester Found Guilty On All Charges Larry Ray, the leader of a sex cult run out of his daughter's dorm room at Sarah Lawrence College in Westchester, will face life in prison after being found guilty by a jury of sexually exploiting and trafficking girls. Ray, now 62 years old following multiple delays in his trial and prosecution, was found guilty of 15 counts that include racketeering, sex trafficking, conspiracy, forced labor, extortion, tax evasion, and other crimes in relation to his scheme. Related story - DOJ Accidentally Publishes List Of Alleged Clients In Sarah Lawrence Case It reportedly took the jury le…
Gambino Family Captain From Westchester Sentenced For Racketeering, Ordered To Pay $1M Gambino Family Captain From Westchester Sentenced For Racketeering, Ordered To Pay $1M
Gambino Family Captain From Westchester Sentenced For Racketeering, Ordered To Pay $1M A high-ranking member of the Gambino organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra living lavishly in Westchester will spend time behind bars and pay a million dollars for his role in a racketeering conspiracy. Scarsdale resident Andrew Campos, age 51, was sentenced in federal court to 37 months in prison for the conspiracy. The court also ordered him to pay $1 million in restitution and a $15,000 fine. In January 2021, Campos pleaded guilty and admitted to participating in various acts of wire fraud and money laundering. US Attorney Breon Peace said that Campos and his co-conspirators carried …
Westchester Contractor Admits To $1.5M Tax Evasion Scheme Westchester Contractor Admits To $1.5M Tax Evasion Scheme
Westchester Contractor Admits To $1.5M Tax Evasion Scheme A Westchester County contractor pleaded guilty to charges related to his role in a scheme to avoid paying federal income taxes and conceal more than $1.5 million in income from his business. Mario Nunes, age 59, of Yonkers, pleaded guilty to tax evasion and filing false federal income tax returns on Tuesday, Jan. 11, according to Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. “As he admitted in court, the defendant engaged in a scheme to evade paying federal income taxes for years, including by concealing business income, making false statements to the IR…
NY Doctor Claimed More Than $1 Million In Fraudulent Tax Deductions, Feds Say NY Doctor Claimed More Than $1 Million In Fraudulent Tax Deductions, Feds Say
NY Doctor Claimed More Than $1 Million In Fraudulent Tax Deductions, Feds Say A New York doctor has admitted to tax evasion after federal authorities say he claimed more than $1 million in fraudulent tax deductions. Long Island resident Jordan Sudberg pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Nov. 23 to tax evasion for the calendar years 2015 through 2017, in connection with false deductions from a scheme involving his issuance of hundreds of business checks falsely purporting to be payments for business services, which he provided in exchange for cash to a black market money exchange network. As part of his plea, Sudberg agreed to pay $551,660 in restitution to the Internal Reven…
Fairfield County Man Sentenced For Tax Evasion Fairfield County Man Sentenced For Tax Evasion
Fairfield County Man Sentenced For Tax Evasion A Fairfield County man has been sentenced for evading paying more than $141,000 in taxes. Michael Monroe, age 48, of Norwalk, was sentenced on Friday, Oct. 15, to six months in prison and six months of home confinement, according to Leonard Boyle, acting United States attorney for the District of Connecticut. Monroe was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and 90 hours of community service. Boyle said he was ordered to pay back the taxes of $141,041, plus interest and penalties. He pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion on March 15. Boyle said Monroe oper…
Trump Organization, CFO Charged With 15 Felonies For Alleged Years-Long Tax Scheme Trump Organization, CFO Charged With 15 Felonies For Alleged Years-Long Tax Scheme
Trump Organization, CFO Charged With 15 Felonies For Alleged Years-Long Tax Scheme The Trump Organization and its longtime CFO Allen Weisselberg have been charged with 15 felony counts in an effort to evade taxes over the course of 15 years, according to a newly unsealed indictment released in federal court. Weisselberg, who is accused of evading nearly $2 million in taxes, surrendered to Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance Jr. on Thursday, July 1, and pleaded not guilty to felony charges that include criminal tax fraud, conspiracy, and falsifying business records. He was released following the court appearance, though his passport had to be surrendered to the court. The charges rep…
NY Prosecutors Inform Trump Organization It Could Face Criminal Charges In Days NY Prosecutors Inform Trump Organization It Could Face Criminal Charges In Days
NY Prosecutors Inform Trump Organization It Could Face Criminal Charges In Days The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has informed lawyers for the Trump Organization that it could be facing criminal charges as soon as next week. According to reports, charges stemming from allegations of tax evasion over compensation paid out to top executives could be filed as soon as Monday, June 28. Allen Weisselberg, the Trump Organization CFO could also face charges next week as he faces scrutiny for benefits he received, including a company-funded apartment and car. Attorney Ron Fischetti said that lawyers for the Trump Organization met with prosecutors on Thursday, June 24. …
NY AG Adds 'Criminal Capacity' To Trump Investigation, With Westchester Estate Part Of Probe NY AG Adds 'Criminal Capacity' To Trump Investigation, With Westchester Estate Part Of Probe
NY AG Adds 'Criminal Capacity' To Trump Investigation, With Westchester Estate Part Of Probe New York Attorney General Letitia James has joined the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office’s investigation into the Trump Organization, now bringing a criminal element to the case, the AG's office announced. James said that her office is venturing into the investigation into the former president’s organization, which has been under a civil probe since 2019. Now, the AG is saying that they are now investigating criminal components. “We have informed the Trump Organization that our investigation into the organization is no longer purely civil in nature," James' spokesman Fabien Levy sai…
Nationally Known Westchester Restaurant Owner Sentenced For Not Paying Taxes Nationally Known Westchester Restaurant Owner Sentenced For Not Paying Taxes
Nationally Known Westchester Restaurant Owner Sentenced For Not Paying Taxes A nationally known celebrity chef known as “Lord of the Pies” who owns restaurants in Westchester and Fairfield counties will spend time behind bars after admitting to not paying taxes. Bruno DiFabio, age 51, of Ridgefield, was sentenced on Thursday, May 6 to 30 days in prison, followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to a federal tax offense in 2018. Specifically, DiFabio pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to file false income tax returns and payroll tax returns.  Currently, DiFabio has ownership interests in several pizza restaurants in Connecticut …
Rapper DMX Hospitalized In Westchester In Grave Condition Rapper DMX Hospitalized In Westchester In Grave Condition
Rapper DMX Hospitalized In Westchester In Grave Condition The rapper DMX is hospitalized in his native New York in Westchester County in grave condition, according to a report by TMZ. DMX, age 50, whose birth name is Earl Simmons, suffered an overdose around 11 p.m. Friday, April 2, which led to a heart attack, according to TMZ. He is hospitalized in the critical care unit in White Plains, the report said. Simmons is a Mount Vernon native who grew up in Yonkers. Simmons lived near the Bedford border on McLain Street in Mount Kisco with his now-estranged wife Tashera Simmons before putting the home into foreclosure in 2016 after filing for bankru…
Accountant For Restaurant Owner In Westchester, Fairfield Counties Admits To Federal Tax Charge Accountant For Restaurant Owner In Westchester, Fairfield Counties Admits To Federal Tax Charge
Accountant For Restaurant Owner In Westchester, Fairfield Counties Admits To Federal Tax Charge A Long Island accountant who worked for a pizzeria owner with locations in Fairfield and Westchester counties is facing prison time after he admitted to tax offenses. Suffolk County resident James Guerra, age 58, of Dix Hills, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of willful failure to collect and pay over withholding taxes following his arrest for turning a blind eye to his boss failing to pay taxes. U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut John Durham said that Guerra worked as an accountant for Bruno DeFabio, who owned these restaurants in Westchester and Fairfield coun…
Owner Of Hudson Valley Tax Preparation Business Admits To Scam IRS Of $500K Owner Of Hudson Valley Tax Preparation Business Admits To Scam IRS Of $500K
Owner Of Hudson Valley Tax Preparation Business Admits To Scam IRS Of $500K A Hudson Valley tax preparer and the owner of Eversley Tax has been sentenced to six months in prison for preparing false and fraudulent income tax returns. Eversley Barrett, of New Windsor, was sentenced on Friday, Jan. 29, to prison time after pleading guilty to 16 counts of an 84-count indictment, said Audrey Strauss, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. “Eversley Barrett abused his position of trust as a tax preparer by filing false tax returns on behalf of his clients and himself," said Strauss. "He caused over half a million dollars in losses to the IRS, all for hi…
Trump Issues Last-Second Pardon To Fox News Host Jeanine Pirro’s Former Husband Al Pirro Trump Issues Last-Second Pardon To Fox News Host Jeanine Pirro’s Former Husband Al Pirro
Trump Issues Last-Second Pardon To Fox News Host Jeanine Pirro’s Former Husband Al Pirro As the clock ticked down on his time in the Oval Office, former President Donald Trump issued one last pardon - for the ex-husband of former Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro, the fiery Fox News host. A total of 143 pardons were issued by Trump on his last full day in office on Tuesday, Jan. 19. But after Trump left Washington, D.C. for Florida on Wednesday morning, Jan. 20, it was announced that Trump had issued one more pardon - for Mount Vernon native Albert Pirro, who was convicted in 2000 on conspiracy and tax evasion charges. The announcement was made public as t…
Seven From Westchester Among 12 Gambino Crime Family Members Admitting To Multiple Crimes Seven From Westchester Among 12 Gambino Crime Family Members Admitting To Multiple Crimes
Seven From Westchester Among 12 Gambino Crime Family Members Admitting To Multiple Crimes A dozen members and associates of the Gambino organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra admitted to multiple crimes, including racketeering conspiracy, fraud, obstruction of justice and related offenses for criminal activities throughout the New York metropolitan area committed as part of the illicit activities of the Gambino family. One additional defendant pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return.  The defendants also agreed to pay $1.6 million in penalties. The pleas were entered throughout the past week at federal court in Brooklyn. According to court filings and facts presente…
NY Restaurateur Sentenced For Tax Evasion Scheme NY Restaurateur Sentenced For Tax Evasion Scheme
NY Restaurateur Sentenced For Tax Evasion Scheme A Manhattan restaurateur from Long Island will spend time behind bars after he admitted to a near million dollar tax evasion scheme. Nassau County resident Adel Kellel, 63, of New Hyde Park, the former owners of Raffles Bistro in New York City, has been sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty in Manhattan federal court earlier this year to a $771,195 scheme, acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said. In addition to his prison term, Kellel was also ordered to pay $613,478 in restitution to the IRS and $157,717 to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Strauss s…
Former Town Justice In Northern Westchester Sentenced For Tax Evasion Former Town Justice In Northern Westchester Sentenced For Tax Evasion
Former Town Justice In Northern Westchester Sentenced For Tax Evasion A former town justice in Northern Westchester will spend time behind bars after admitting to a decade-long tax evasion scheme. Former Lewisboro Town Justice Marc Seedorf, a Carmel attorney, was sentenced in White Plains Federal Court to six months in prison following his guilty plea to tax evasion last December. Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said that between 2009 through October 2019, Seedorf was a Town Justice for the Town of Lewisboro, and an Administrative Law Judge for Westchester County.  He also received income from the private practice of law.  Strauss said tha…
Area Attorney Sentenced For Evading $566K In Taxes Area Attorney Sentenced For Evading $566K In Taxes
Area Attorney Sentenced For Evading $566K In Taxes A Hudson Valley attorney living in Fairfield County will spend time behind bars after admitting to tax evasion and failing to pay over payroll taxes during a long-running scheme. Danbury resident Francis O’Reilly, an attorney in Putnam County, in Carmel, was sentenced this week to 18 months in prison for an elaborate scheme that cost the U.S. Treasury more than $800,000 following his guilty plea last year. Prosecutors said that O’Reilly has been permitted to practice law in New York since 1989, and has been a self-employed attorney who worked out of Putnam County at the O’Reilly Law Practic…
Westchester Man Among Former Executives To Admit To Multi-Million Dollar Kickback Scheme Westchester Man Among Former Executives To Admit To Multi-Million Dollar Kickback Scheme
Westchester Man Among Former Executives To Admit To Multi-Million Dollar Kickback Scheme Four men - including one each from Long Island and Westchester - will spend time behind bars for their roles in a tax evasion and bribery scheme. Nassau County resident Ronald Olson, of Massapequa, Westchester County resident Michael Campana, of Tuckahoe, and Middletown, New Jersey residents Anthony Guzzone and Vito Nigro, are all facing charges after being busted for evading taxes over the course of nearly a decade. Olson, a construction manager for Bloomberg, LLC, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, July 29 to charges that alleged he evaded taxes on more than $1.5 million in bribes received fro…
Northern Westchester Businessman Admits To Tax Evasion, Must Pay $395K Northern Westchester Businessman Admits To Tax Evasion, Must Pay $395K
Northern Westchester Businessman Admits To Tax Evasion, Must Pay $395K A Westchester County businessman has admitted to tax evasion for more than four years to the tune of almost $400,000. Antonio Nikc, 58, of Chappaqua, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, March 3, to tax evasion for the years 2010 to 2014, for a total $395,745, said the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. According to the statements made in court, during the time period of the tax evasion, Nikc managed a number of family businesses that operate large rental buildings in New York and Connecticut, in a manner to conceal his sources of income to prevent the IRS from assessi…
Area Business Owner Failed To Pay Taxes For Years, Lied To IRS, Feds Say Area Business Owner Failed To Pay Taxes For Years, Lied To IRS, Feds Say
Area Business Owner Failed To Pay Taxes For Years, Lied To IRS, Feds Say A Hudson Valley business owner is facing charges for allegedly “knowingly and willfully failing to pay over payroll taxes for his company and for corruptly endeavoring to obstruct and impede the due administration of the internal revenue laws,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said Dutchess County resident William Grogg, of Millbrook, has worked in the printing and publishing industry in and around Poughkeepsie since the 1980s, owning and managing the financial affairs of multiple companies.  During his three decades working in the industry, it i…
Area Attorney Admits To Tax Evasion, Failure To Pay Over Payroll Taxes Area Attorney Admits To Tax Evasion, Failure To Pay Over Payroll Taxes
Area Attorney Admits To Tax Evasion, Failure To Pay Over Payroll Taxes An area attorney has admitted to tax evasion and failure to pay over payroll taxes. Francis O’Reilly, a Carmel attorney who lives in Danbury, pleaded guilty in White Plains federal court to one count of failing to pay over payroll taxes and one count of tax evasion for the calendar year 2015, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced. Berman said that O’Reilly has been permitted to practice law in New York since 1989, and has been a self-employed attorney who worked out of Putnam County at the O’Reilly Law Practice. In 2015, O’Reilly admitted to withholding payroll taxes from the salaries of…