For longtime fans of kickboxing, Dennis Alexio is a familiar figure. The former world champion left not only indelible marks on his opponents, but on viewers of his matches as well. Alexio is remembered as the man who wore a grass skirt while kicking and punching his way to the top.
Cleveland kickboxing fans might well be dismayed to learn that Alexio’s legacy has been reshaped by his recent trial on tax fraud charges and other accusations. Alexio was found guilty on 28 counts and now faces the real possibility of spending years in a federal prison.
Not only does the guilty verdict tarnish Alexio’s legacy, so too does his behavior in a Honolulu courtroom. His “erratic” behavior caused the federal judge to toss the former champ in jail before the guilty verdict was delivered by a jury, a TV station reported.
Before the jury entered the courtroom, Alexio – who represented himself during the trial – peppered the judge with questions such as “Do you have a claim against me?” and “Who are you?”
The jurist had the former champion removed. Alexio watched the proceedings by video from a holding room.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Alexio had filed with the Internal Revenue Service false tax returns for his wife and himself, netting about $500,000 in tax refunds.
His legal woes are not over, the TV station reported. He faces another trial in which he’s accused of theft of more than $200,000 in gold bars and coins.
The judge apparently spent considerable time explaining to Alexio the dangers of self-representation, but the warnings were ignored by the former champ who now faces sentencing in early May.
Alexio serves as yet another example of why it is crucial to enlist the aid of experienced tax attorneys in criminal cases. In fact, those who understand the seriousness of tax fraud charges understand as well how important it is to contact a tax lawyer at the first sign that you are being investigated for tax fraud.
