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Internal Revenue Service

$100M Scheme: Northern Westchester Man Known As 'Magician' Nabbed In One Of Largest Ever Frauds $100M Scheme: Northern Westchester Man Known As 'Magician' Nabbed In One Of Largest Ever Frauds
$100M Scheme: Northern 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…
Putnam Valley Man Gets Jail Time For Stealing $500K From Retirement Accounts Putnam Valley Man Gets Jail Time For Stealing $500K From Retirement Accounts
Putnam 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…
$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…
Bankruptcy Fraud: Former Attorney From Westchester Lied To Keep Home, Sports Car, Officials Say Bankruptcy Fraud: Former Attorney From Westchester Lied To Keep Home, Sports Car, Officials Say
Bankruptcy Fraud: Former Attorney From Westchester 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…
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 …
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…
IRS Issues Warning To Taxpayers About Filing IRS Issues Warning To Taxpayers About Filing
IRS Issues Warning To Taxpayers About Filing With tax season well underway and many Americans scrambling to file before the deadline, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is advising of certain details to double-check before submitting the required paperwork. With approximately 25 percent of Americans having already filed in advance of the deadline of Monday, April 18, the IRS posted a new alert warning about four things to keep in mind when filing their taxes. According to the IRS, taxpayers should be aware of these potential tax obligations that involve the gig economy, making virtual currency transactions, earning foreign-sourced inc…
Treasury Department Warns Of 'Frustrating Season' For Taxpayers, Preparers Treasury Department Warns Of 'Frustrating Season' For Taxpayers, Preparers
Treasury Department Warns Of 'Frustrating Season' For Taxpayers, Preparers Treasury Department officials have warned that major issues the Internal Revenue Service is experiencing could lead to delays when it comes to certain taxpayer services, according to a new report. The Washington Post reported that officials said on Monday, Jan. 10, that they anticipate this tax season will be "frustrating" for preparers and taxpayers due in part to pandemic-related delays and previous budget cuts to the IRS. The news outlet said this year, the IRS is beginning tax filing season with "several times" the typical unaddressed backlog of returns.  The Washington Post said …
Former Harvard Department Chair Found Guilty Of Hiding Ties To China Former Harvard Department Chair Found Guilty Of Hiding Ties To China
Former Harvard Department Chair Found Guilty Of Hiding Ties To China A former Harvard University department chair has been found guilty of charges in connection with lying to federal authorities about his ties to China and failing to report income he received from a university in China. Charles Lieber, age 62, was found guilty on Tuesday, Dec. 21, of: Two counts of making false statements to federal authorities,  Two counts of making and subscribing a false income tax return, Two counts of failing to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts with the Internal Revenue Service. Lieber is the former chair of Harvard's Chemistry and Che…
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…
Millions Of Families To Begin Receiving Child Tax Credit Payments From IRS This Week Millions Of Families To Begin Receiving Child Tax Credit Payments From IRS This Week
Millions Of Families To Begin Receiving Child Tax Credit Payments From IRS This Week Millions of families will begin receiving payments from the Internal Revenue Service this week due to the American Rescue Plan’s expansion of the child tax credit.  The Biden administration previously announced families would begin receiving monthly payments beginning in July of up to $250 for each child between the ages of 6 and 17 years old. Families would receive a payment of $300 for each child under the age of 6. The payments are set to begin on Thursday, July 15. Eligible families will receive the full credit if they are a couple filing jointly with an income of $150,000 or…
IRS Planning To Delay April 15 Tax Deadline, Reports Say IRS Planning To Delay April 15 Tax Deadline, Reports Say
IRS Planning To Delay April 15 Tax Deadline, Reports Say For the second straight year, the Internal Revenue Service is expected to extend the tax deadline by at least a month, according to multiple reports. Bloomberg, CNBC, the Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post all reported on Wednesday afternoon, March 17 that the IRS is expected to push the tax deadline until mid-May, not April 15, though no official statement has been made. Tax season was delayed from the get-go as the IRS began to accept and process tax returns on Feb. 12, which was a two-week delay. A filing extension would give taxpayers additional breathing room to meet their tax …
Tax Refunds Expected To Shrink For Millions Of Americans Tax Refunds Expected To Shrink For Millions Of Americans
Tax Refunds Expected To Shrink For Millions Of Americans As millions of Americans file and complete their 2018 taxes, some have been shocked by a minimal return, including several who are now paying out to the Internal Revenue Service after years of receiving refunds. According to the IRS, the total number of returns received in the week ending on Feb. 1 - more than 16 million - was down 12.4 percent from the week that ended on Feb. 2 last year. Only 13.31 million returns have been processed, down 25.8 percent from the year before. The average refund of $1,865 was 8.4 percent smaller than the average refund in the same period last year, when it w…
$1.39M Suit Seeks Unpaid Taxes From Area Couple $1.39M Suit Seeks Unpaid Taxes From Area Couple
$1.39M Suit Seeks Unpaid Taxes From Area Couple Federal officials are suing a Hudson Valley couple who owe more than a million dollar in unpaid taxes to the Internal Revenue Service. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced that the federal government is suing Michael Satz and Marietta Staples of Staatsburg in Dutchess County in an effort to help the IRS collect $1.39 million in unpaid taxes. The lawsuit alleges that they have refused or failed to pay on income taxes dating back more than a decade, to 2016. According to reports, tax liens have previously been levied against the couple in 2008, 2009 and 2016. They were refiled in each of t…
Thinly Staffed IRS Won't Issue Refunds During Shutdown Thinly Staffed IRS Won't Issue Refunds During Shutdown
Thinly Staffed IRS Won't Issue Refunds During Shutdown As tax season draws near, the Internal Revenue Service, thinly staffed due to the partial government shutdown, can’t currently issue any refunds. In addition, the IRS has not announced an official start date for the 2019 filing season. The IRS began the filing season last year on Jan. 29. The IRS is now working under non-filing season shutdown plans with only 12.5 percent of the IRS workforce authorized to work. The partial shutdown marked its 14th day on Friday, Jan. 4. As the standoff drags on, about 800,000 federal employees are working without pay or being furloughed.  …
Nationally Known Westchester Restaurant Owner Admits To Evading $816K In Taxes Nationally Known Westchester Restaurant Owner Admits To Evading $816K In Taxes
Nationally Known Westchester Restaurant Owner Admits To Evading $816K In Taxes A nationally known food celebrity known as "Lord of the Pies" who owns restaurants in Westchester and Fairfield counties has admitted to filing false income tax returns and payroll tax returns totaling nearly a million dollars.Bruno DiFabio, 49, of Ridgefield has ownership interest in the following: Pinocchio Pizza in New Canaan and Wilton, Connecticut; Amore Pizza in Scarsdale, Amore Cucina and Bar in Stamford; ReNapoli Pizza in Old Greenwich. DiFabio’s business partner, Stamford resident Steven Cioffi, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the filing of a false t…
Trump Engaged In 'Dubious Tax Schemes,' 'Outright Fraud,' NY Times Investigation Finds Trump Engaged In 'Dubious Tax Schemes,' 'Outright Fraud,' NY Times Investigation Finds
Trump Engaged In 'Dubious Tax Schemes,' 'Outright Fraud,' NY Times Investigation Finds President Trump participated in dubious tax schemes during the 1990s, including instances of outright fraud, that greatly increased the fortune he received from his parents, according to this investigation by The New York Times. Trump won the presidency proclaiming himself a self-made billionaire, and he has long insisted that his father, the legendary New York City builder Fred C. Trump, provided almost no financial help. Related story: New Forbes Rankings Of 400 Wealthiest Americans: Trump Takes Another Plunge However, the Times’s investigation, based on a trove of confidential tax retur…
Ex-Northern Westchester Restaurant Owner Admits To Scheming IRS Out Of $122K Ex-Northern Westchester Restaurant Owner Admits To Scheming IRS Out Of $122K
Ex-Northern Westchester Restaurant Owner Admits To Scheming IRS Out Of $122K The 32-year-old owner of three restaurants in Northern Westchester and Fairfield County has admitted to scheming the Internal Revenue Service out of more than $122,000. Stamford resident Steven Cioffi paid employees under the table and skimmed cash off restaurant books, according to John H. Durham, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England. Cioffi owned 50 percent of Nepperhan Restaurants Group, Inc., doing business as ReNapoli Pizza, in Old Greenwich, and Pinocchio Pizza in Pound Ridge, which …
New York Sues Trump, Children For $2.8M, Seeks To Dissolve Foundation New York Sues Trump, Children For $2.8M, Seeks To Dissolve Foundation
New York Sues Trump, Children For $2.8M, Seeks To Dissolve Foundation The Donald J. Trump Foundation and the Trump family engaged in self-dealing and illegal coordination with the presidential campaign and committed numerous violations of campaign finance laws, the New York State attorney general’s office said in a lawsuit filed Thursday on the president's 72nd birthday. Named in the lawsuit filed by Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood against the Donald J. Trump Foundation are its directors, Donald J. Trump, Donald J. Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump and Eric Trump. The lawsuit alleges a pattern of persistent illegal conduct, occurring over more than a decade, that…
Trash-Hauling Owner Working In Westchester To Pay For Failing To File Taxes Trash-Hauling Owner Working In Westchester To Pay For Failing To File Taxes
Trash-Hauling Owner Working In Westchester To Pay For Failing To File Taxes A 71-year-old trash-hauling owner is facing prison time and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines after pleading guilty to failing to file tax returns for more than a decade in the Stamford area and parts of Westchester County. John Durham, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced this week that Stamford resident Wayne Margarum has pleaded guilty to two counts of willful failure to file an income tax return after failing to do so for his business dating back to 2004. According to court documents and statements made in court, for more than 40 years, Margarum …
IRS Extends Tax Deadline To File For Hudson Valley Small Businesses IRS Extends Tax Deadline To File For Hudson Valley Small Businesses
IRS Extends Tax Deadline To File For Hudson Valley Small Businesses Due to this winter's series of severe winter storms, the Internal Revenue Service has extended the deadline for small businesses to seek extensions.Taxpayers who were unable to file their business tax returns can request an automatic extension by filing Form 7004, a one-page form on or before March 20.  Prior to this IRS decision, businesses that were without power this month would have been penalized for filing for this extension after March 15. Form 7004 provides a six-month extension for returns filed by partnerships (Forms 1065 and 1065B) and S corporations (Forms 1120S). A link to Form…
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…