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East Meadow resident Mohammad Sayeem met with an IRS agent three times at his home between June 17 last year and Sunday, Feb. 16 as they investigated whether he underreported his 2017 taxable income.
It is alleged that at their first meeting last year, Sayeem asked the agent to “help him out” with potential tax liabilities, and inquired about whether he could receive gifts.
The agent reportedly said no, though Sayeem offered him an envelope at the conclusion of their meeting, claiming it was a gift for Eid al-Adha, an Islamic holiday, as they were both Muslim.
The agent reported the gift to the IRS and he was instructed to wear a wire to the next meeting with Sayeem on Oct. 22 last year.
During the second meeting, it is alleged that Sayeem again asked the agent to overlook some tax liabilities and offered him a gift for “being a friend.”
Prosecutors said that during their third meeting on Feb. 19, Sayeem reiterated his request for help with his tax liabilities, outright offering the agent a Michael Kors watch and $1,500 cash in exchange for the agent making false claims that he owed no liability, when in fact he owed the IRS $30,000.
Sayeem, 42, was arrested this week and charged with bribery of a public official. He was released on a $100,000 bond after pleading not guilty.
If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison and financial penalties. No return court date has been announced.
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