They say you "don't mess with Texas," but in this case they should change it to "don't mess with the IRS." A Houston attorney has been indicted in a complex tax scheme for trying to bring offshore funds back to the U.S. without paying taxes to the tune of nearly $18 million in earnings.
From the U.S. Department of Justice Press Release:
According to the indictment, Jack Stephen Pursley, also known as Steve Pursley, conspired with another individual to repatriate more than $18 million in untaxed earnings from the co-conspirator’s business bank account located in the Isle of Man. Knowing that his co-conspirator had never paid taxes on these funds, Pursley allegedly designed and implemented a scheme whereby the untaxed funds were made to appear to be stock purchases in United States corporations owned and controlled by Pursley and his co-conspirator.
The indictment alleges that Pursley received more than $4.8 million and an ownership interest in the co-conspirator’s ongoing business for his role in the fraudulent scheme. The indictment further alleges that for tax years 2009 and 2010 Pursley evaded the assessment of and failed to pay the incomes taxes due on this money by, amongst other means, withdrawing the funds as purported non-taxable loans or returns of capital. Pursley allegedly used the money he received to purchase personal assets, including a vacation home in Vail, Colorado and property in Houston.
If convicted, Pursley faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison for the conspiracy count, and five years in prison for each count of tax evasion. He also faces a period of supervised release, monetary penalties, and restitution.
An indictment merely alleges that a crime has been committed. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Trusted advice from experienced tax fraud defense attorneys in Cleveland
Serving international and local clients from offices in Chicago, and Cleveland, Illinois, the IRS tax lawyers at Robert J. Fedor, Esq., LLC deliver knowledgeable, discrete legal service if you face a tax crime or have a question about a civil tax audit. Call us at 800-579-0997 today.
