In July 2020, the Chief of IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) announced the end of his longtime tenure at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Current CI deputy chief James Lee has become the new Chief of CI.
Don Fort started with the IRS in 1991 in Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Fort started his career with the agency as a grade 5 Special Agent and rose to Chief of an organization that engages directly with individuals and institutions engaged in criminal tax matters, tax fraud, and other criminal activity. That includes pursuit of opaque offshore tax havens and secret foreign bank accounts where untaxed money flows into international waters outside of the reach of US tax authorities.
Running CI since June 2017, Mr. Fort steered the agency as the IRS continued to see budget dollars dwindle while international tax crime soared. As he stepped into the role, Mr. Fort announced he would focus on increasing compliance, fighting international tax crime, and bolstering the core mission of the agency—criminal tax investigations and enforcement.
IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig applauded the career of Mr. Fort saying, “He has a distinguished career and the entire IRS leadership team appreciates everything he has done to uphold the law and support tax administration."
After almost 30 years in law enforcement, Mr. Fort transitioned to Director of Investigations at the law firm of Kostelanetz & Fink.
Incoming CI Chief James Lee has most recently served as Deputy Chief of the organization and brings 25 years of experience to his new leadership position. Of Mr. Lee, Mr. Rettig notes,"Jim brings a quarter-century of Criminal Investigation management and field experience into this key enforcement role, Jim is highly respected throughout the IRS and will continue long-standing working relationships with the civil enforcement functions of the IRS as well as with the Department of Justice's Tax Division and tax prosecutors throughout the country. He understands the need to support compliant taxpayers by maintaining a strong, robust enforcement effort focused on those who are compliance challenged."
CI is a formidable agency, with approximately 2000 special agents in 21 field offices in 11 foreign countries. While our law firm works daily to guide clients and their interests away from business involving CI, their work encouraging compliance and reducing many types of tax fraud and tax controversy in the US is invaluable.
Facing an allegation of tax fraud or criminal tax audit? Our tax attorneys can help
If contacted by the IRS, get experienced legal advice right away. With offices in Cleveland and Chicago, the legal team at Robert J. Fedor, Esq., LLC offers help with tax controversies and guidance with business bankruptcy. Contact us today or call 800-579-0997.
