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Tax Fraud

$145M Scheme: Westchester Man Known As 'Magician' Admits To One Of Largest Ever Frauds $145M Scheme: Westchester Man Known As 'Magician' Admits To One Of Largest Ever Frauds
$145M Scheme: Westchester Man Known As 'Magician' Admits To One Of Largest Ever Frauds A Northern Westchester man who earned the nickname “The Magician” for his ability to slash tax bills has pleaded guilty to orchestrating a massive $145 million fraud scheme that spanned a decade, federal officials announced. Rafael Alvarez, age 61, of Cortlandt Manor, entered the plea in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday, Dec. 17, after being charged with conspiracy to defraud the US and aiding the preparation of false tax returns, according to Edward Y. Kim, Acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.  Alvarez, the CEO and owner of ATAX, a Bronx-based tax preparation bu…
Holiday Deals Or Fraud? IRS Issues Warning For These Scams Holiday Deals Or Fraud? IRS Issues Warning For These Scams
Holiday Deals Or Fraud? IRS Issues Warning For These Scams As the holiday shopping season begins, the IRS reminds everyone that it’s not just your credit card balance you need to watch — it’s also your personal information. As part of its ninth annual National Tax Security Awareness Week, the IRS is warning taxpayers about a rise in holiday scams.  The scammers aren’t interested in gifts under your tree; they’re after your Social Security number and financial information instead. Here’s how scammers are getting creative—and how you can stay safe: Phishing Emails: Be wary of emails pretending to be from reputable retailers, shipping companie…
Former NY Rep Paralyzed After Horse Accident Receiving Treatment In NJ: Report Former NY Rep Paralyzed After Horse Accident Receiving Treatment In NJ: Report
Former NY Rep Paralyzed After Horse Accident Receiving Treatment In NJ: Report Former New York Congressman Michael Grimm has been left paralyzed from the chest down after a severe horse-riding accident during a polo tournament, and is being treated in New Jersey, CBS News reports citing a friend of Grimm's.  Grimm, age 54, was thrown from his horse in September and is now undergoing treatment at the renowned Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, which has locations in West Orange, Saddle Brook, Chester, and Marlton.  Headquartered in West Orange, Kessler is where actor Christopher Reeve was treated following a similar accident in 1995, and was…
Hudson Valley Dentist Dodged Income Taxes For Years, DA Says Hudson Valley Dentist Dodged Income Taxes For Years, DA Says
Hudson Valley Dentist Dodged Income Taxes For Years, DA Says A licensed dentist who worked in the Hudson Valley is accused of failing to pay income taxes for years, thereby defrauding the state of thousands of dollars. In Orange County, Fernando Ehrhardt, age 51, of New York City, was arraigned on criminal tax fraud and related charges in the Town of New Windsor Court on Thursday, May 30. According to prosecutors, Ehrhardt worked at several dental practices in Orange County between 2016 and 2020. Throughout that time, he allegedly failed to file personal tax returns, defrauding New York State of more than $13,000 in revenue. Ehrhardt previously had …
$100M Scheme: Westchester Man Known As 'Magician' Nabbed In One Of Largest Ever Frauds $100M Scheme: Westchester Man Known As 'Magician' Nabbed In One Of Largest Ever Frauds
$100M Scheme: Westchester 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…
$2M Scheme: 6 Steal Property Deeds, Obtain Fraudulent Loans In Yonkers, New Rochelle, DA Says $2M Scheme: 6 Steal Property Deeds, Obtain Fraudulent Loans In Yonkers, New Rochelle, DA Says
$2M Scheme: 6 Steal Property Deeds, Obtain Fraudulent Loans In Yonkers, New Rochelle, DA Says Six people, including a licensed real estate broker and salesperson, and a corporation, have been charged with defrauding homeowners in Westchester and fraudulently obtaining $2 million in loans by stealing property deeds, DA officials said.  The six defendants involved in the scheme, including three Westchester residents and a Long Island man, were arrested and arraigned in late June for their role in a scheme that allegedly defrauded homeowners in Yonkers and New Rochelle, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced on Monday, July 3.  According to officials, the…
$135K Spent At Strip Clubs: Westchester Government Contractor Admits Hiding Expenses $135K Spent At Strip Clubs: Westchester Government Contractor Admits Hiding Expenses
$135K Spent At Strip Clubs: Westchester Government Contractor Admits Hiding Expenses A Westchester County government contractor and its manager from Fairfield County have admitted to trying to hide tens of thousands of dollars in taxpayer money spent at strip clubs.  City Carting of Westchester, Inc. and its manager, 37-year-old Christopher Oxer of Darien, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, June 6 to submitting false financial records that hid more than $100,000 in company money that was spent at strip clubs, according to the Westchester County District Attorney's Office.  According to the DA's Office, City Carting held an annual $20 million contract with the county …
Jury Finds Trump Organization Guilty On All Counts In NY Tax Fraud Case Jury Finds Trump Organization Guilty On All Counts In NY Tax Fraud Case
Jury Finds Trump Organization Guilty On All Counts In NY Tax Fraud Case A New York jury has found former President Donald Trump’s company guilty of all charges in a tax fraud scheme that prosecutors said spanned more than a decade. Jurors deliberated for just over a day before finding the Trump Organization guilty on 17 counts, including criminal tax fraud, conspiracy, and falsifying business records, in State Supreme Court in Manhattan Tuesday, Dec. 6. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said the scheme was orchestrated by “high managerial agents”, including chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg and controller Jeffrey McConney. BREAKING: For the …
NY Doctor Sentenced for Filing False Tax Returns, Ordered To Pay $245,212 NY Doctor Sentenced for Filing False Tax Returns, Ordered To Pay $245,212
NY Doctor Sentenced for Filing False Tax Returns, Ordered To Pay $245,212 A New York doctor will avoid prison after admitting that he filed false tax returns. Albany County resident Ehab Kodsi, age 56, of Watervliet, was sentenced to pay $245,212 in restitution and pay an additional $25,000 fine Thursday, Nov. 3, in federal court in Albany. The sentence followed Kodsi’s guilty plea to filing a false tax return and admission that he deliberately underreported revenue from both his pain management company in Queensbury, in Warren County, and his real estate company between 2015 and 2018. He was also accused of improperly deducting personal and business expenses.…
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 …
Employee At NY Pharmaceutical Company Admits To Embezzling $1.38M, Tax Fraud Employee At NY Pharmaceutical Company Admits To Embezzling $1.38M, Tax Fraud
Employee At NY Pharmaceutical Company Admits To Embezzling $1.38M, Tax Fraud A former employee at a New York pharmaceutical company has admitted to embezzling nearly $1.5 million and committing tax fraud. Long Island resident Maria Porras, age 32, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of grand larceny and tax fraud Friday, Sept. 30, in Nassau County court. Prosecutors said Porras worked as an officer manager at RxUSA in Port Washington, where her duties gave her access to the company’s bookkeeping system. Over a five-year period between 2015 and 2019, she generated checks written from RxUSA’s account and from the accounts of two other affiliated companies, Eveready Wh…
Former Employee At Westchester Car Dealership Sentenced For $300K Tax Fraud Former Employee At Westchester Car Dealership Sentenced For $300K Tax Fraud
Former Employee At Westchester Car Dealership Sentenced For $300K Tax Fraud A Long Island man will spend time behind bars after being sentenced for his role in a $300,000 embezzlement scheme to defraud the Westchester auto dealership he worked at, state authorities announced. Moriches resident James Castellano, age 55, was sentenced to a term of between two and six years in prison for embezzling more than $300,000 from Hyundai of New Rochelle, according to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Officials said that in 2017, while an employee at the Palmer Avenue dealership, Castellano diverted more than $307,000 in checks made out to Hyundai into his…
Ex-NY Pharmaceutical Company Employee Accused Of Embezzling More Than $1.38M Ex-NY Pharmaceutical Company Employee Accused Of Embezzling More Than $1.38M
Ex-NY Pharmaceutical Company Employee Accused Of Embezzling More Than $1.38M A former bookkeeper for a New York pharmaceutical company is facing a host of charges after being busted embezzling more than a million dollars from her former employer, authorities announced. Long Island resident Maria Porras, age 32, of Massapequa Park, a former office manager for the now-defunct Port Washington-based RXUSA in Nassau County, was arraigned on an 11-count indictment for allegedly stealing more than $1.38 million from three affiliated businesses tied to her boss. Specifically, Porras was charged with: Three counts of second-degree grand larceny; Four counts of criminal t…
Yonkers Woman Facing Life In Prison For Helping 'Uncle' Burn Down Business Yonkers Woman Facing Life In Prison For Helping 'Uncle' Burn Down Business
Yonkers Woman Facing Life In Prison For Helping 'Uncle' Burn Down Business A failing restaurateur who conspired with members of his family to burn down his Hudson Valley business as part of an insurance fraud scheme is facing a host of charges, authorities announced. Orange County resident Zef Gjurashaj, age 59, of Newburgh, and his nephew’s wife, Yonkers resident Marina Gjurashaj, age 37, were indicted and charged with a series of crimes for allegedly conspiring to burn down his restaurant in 2017. Specifically, the two were charged by an Orange County grand jury with: First-degree arson; Conspiracy; Insurance fraud; Tax fraud; Various other offenses. Orange C…
Trump Organization Faces New Criminal Inquiry By Westchester District Attorney's Office Trump Organization Faces New Criminal Inquiry By Westchester District Attorney's Office
Trump Organization Faces New Criminal Inquiry By Westchester District Attorney's Office Former President Donald Trump’s family business is facing potential new legal woes in Westchester after the District Attorney’s Office subpoenaed records from his golf club. First reported by the New York Times, Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah’s office has started examining the financial dealings at the Briarcliff Manor golf club, subpoenaing records from the course, Trump National Golf Club Westchester, and the town of Ossining, which sets property taxes on the course. The full scope of the investigation has not been released, though the report states that the Trump Organi…
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…
Trump Calls Out NY AG By Name During 46-Minute Facebook Video Trump Calls Out NY AG By Name During 46-Minute Facebook Video
Trump Calls Out NY AG By Name During 46-Minute Facebook Video President Donald Trump was in a “New York State of Mind” this week during a 46-minute speech in which he called out the state's attorney general, Letitia James, for investigating his organization. During his lengthy diatribe shown on Facebook, Trump expressed concerns about the various fraud investigations launched by James’ office and by other prosecutors in New York that he will have to confront when he leaves office next month. James was the only New York prosecutor that Trump called out by name as the AG investigates his company over claims that he falsified his assets to ascertain ille…
Ex-NYPD Officer From Area Sentenced For Fraud, Tax Evasion Ex-NYPD Officer From Area Sentenced For Fraud, Tax Evasion
Ex-nypd Officer From Area Sentenced For Fraud, Tax Evasion A former NYPD officer from the area will spend time behind bars for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in disability benefits over two decades while continuing to work security at a strip club. Gerard Scparta, 54, of Campbell Hall in Orange County, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for obtaining approximately $630,000 in disability benefits from the Social Security Administration and underreporting income on his taxes by approximately $268,000. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman noted that while Scparta was obtaining his disability benefits, he earned $1.6 million working as a sec…
Father/Son Owners Of Area Auto Dealership Charged With Tax, Bank Fraud Father/Son Owners Of Area Auto Dealership Charged With Tax, Bank Fraud
Father/Son Owners Of Area Auto Dealership Charged With Tax, Bank Fraud A father and son who own a Hudson Valley auto dealership are facing charges for an alleged multi-million dollar tax and bank fraud scheme. Central Valley residents Mehdi and Saeed Moslem, the owners of the Exclusive Motor Sports car dealership in their Orange County hometown, were arrested and indicted for their roles in conspiring to defraud the United States, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced. It is alleged that from 2009 through 2016, Mehdi Mosel, 70 and his son, 35, concealed millions of dollars in profits from the IRS that were tied to their dealership. Berman said that to fals…
Tax Preparer In Westchester Sentenced For Fraud For Second Time Tax Preparer In Westchester Sentenced For Fraud For Second Time
Tax Preparer In Westchester Sentenced For Fraud For Second Time A tax preparer in Northern Westchester will avoid jail time after admitting to tax fraud earlier this year. Steve Sabba, 61, of Yorktown Heights, and his company, Tax Pro Financial Network, Inc. was sentenced after pleading guilty in February to multiple charges of criminal tax fraud, felonies. Sabba has been sentenced to five years’ probation, during which he will be monitored by an authorized tax professional in the preparation of tax returns. He’s also made restitution of $25,270 to the IRS, $7,717 of which will be paid to Synchrony Bank. Tax Pro was sentenced to a three-year conditiona…
State Investigators Issue Subpoena To Michael Cohen As Part Of Trump Foundation Probe State Investigators Issue Subpoena To Michael Cohen As Part Of Trump Foundation Probe
State Investigators Issue Subpoena To Michael Cohen As Part Of Trump Foundation Probe Michael Cohen, the former personal attorney to President Donald Trump, has been subpoenaed by New York state investigators as part of a probe of the Trump Foundation, according to multiple reports. The move comes less than 24 hours after Cohen agreed to a plea agreement on eight charges, including multiple felony counts of bank and tax fraud as well federal campaign-finance violations involving hush-money payments he made to women who say they had extra-marital affairs with Trump.  Cohen, 51, said in court that Trump directed him to make the hush-money payments, and one audio recording by C…
Westchester Tax Preparer Busted For Alleged Fraud For Second Time, DA Says Westchester Tax Preparer Busted For Alleged Fraud For Second Time, DA Says
Westchester Tax Preparer Busted For Alleged Fraud For Second Time, DA Says A tax preparer in Northern Westchester with a previous conviction for tax fraud is facing new charges after allegedly engaging in an elaborate scheme “constituting a systematic ongoing course of conduct.” Yorktown Heights resident Steve Sabba, 61, has been charged in an eight-count indictment with tax fraud and other felonies following a lengthy investigation by investigators by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.  Sabba and his company, TaxPro Financial Network, were arraigned this week in Westchester County Court. A…
Hudson Valley Couple Plead Guilty To Tax Fraud Hudson Valley Couple Plead Guilty To Tax Fraud
Hudson Valley Couple Plead Guilty To Tax Fraud A 60-something couple pleaded guilty to tax fraud for failing to pay taxes or report money they earned, according to the Orange County District Attorney David  Hoovler. John Quick, 68, and his wife, Mary Quick, 63, both of the Town of Goshen, admitted Thursday that they had not only failed to file state personal income tax for 2012, but also failed to report money they had obtained from a developmentally disabled man that had been living in a barn on their property, the DA's Office said. As part of the plea agreement, the Quicks will repay $35,783.67 to the developmentally disabled man.  T…
Beware Of These Tax Scams, Promises Of Inflated Returns Beware Of These Tax Scams, Promises Of Inflated Returns
Beware Of These Tax Scams, Promises Of Inflated Returns With tax season here, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is warning New Yorkers to be wary of potential opportunistic fraudsters looking to scam unsuspecting suspects. Cuomo issued an alert to residents warning of potential scams and promises of inflated tax returns. Cuomo wants New Yorkers to be aware of “the tactics some unscrupulous tax preparers will use to extract more of their hard-earned money now that personal income tax filing season is underway,” advising that “consumers should be wary of preparers who offer ‘instant refunds’ or ‘no up-front cost’ for tax preparation. To avoid potential scams, the…
W-2 Form Tax Scam: Be On The Lookout, IRS Says W-2 Form Tax Scam: Be On The Lookout, IRS Says
W-2 Form Tax Scam: Be On The Lookout, IRS Says The Internal Revenue Service is warning employers and employees in the Hudson Valley of a Form W-2 phishing scam that cost hundreds of organizations and employees thousands of dollars last year. During the last two tax seasons, cybercriminals tricked payroll personnel or people with access to payroll information into disclosing sensitive information for entire workforces, according to the IRS. The scam affected all types of employers, from small and large businesses to public schools and universities, hospitals, tribal governments and charities. In total, more than 900 phishing reports were…