An Ohio businessman facing 20 years in prison pled guilty to tax crime, including filing fraudulent tax returns.
Filing a false income tax return is relatively easy. After overcoming fear of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), a taxpayer just needs to decide how far to go and importantly—how long they think they will get away with it.
In addition to helping corporations, companies, and individuals remain compliant, we represent business owners and others on a wide range of criminal tax charges, including failure to file a tax return or filing false income tax returns. We write a lot about it too.
We understand how it happens. When the bottom line starts going south, it becomes easier to consider questionable financial decisions around employment taxes and corporate tax returns. For Timothy Miller, of Gahanna, Ohio, the decision was made sometime before July 2015. Between then and December 2017, Mr. Miller frequently withdrew money from the company account. Mr. Miller was president of Big Drum USA, an Ohio ice cream manufacturer. Recording his draws as small cash loans or petty cash, Mr. Miller managed to spend approximately $1.8 million across the U.S. from west to east.
Rarely do individuals accused of wire fraud, money laundering, and other tax fraud file a legitimate tax return to report their ill-gotten gains. The IRS criminal tax investigation that details the original crime always brings up the rear with allegations of false income tax filings. It was no different for Mr. Miller who filed sketchy returns in 2016 and 2017 and ended up owing the IRS almost $675,000 as a result.
Despite over $2 million in restitution for which he will be responsible to pay, the plea deal to which Mr. Miller signed appears not to carry a prison sentence. Intervention of good criminal tax defense is critical as soon as possible in cases like these in order to try and avoid loss of liberty.
Mr. Miller may have needed other intervention as well. The money for which he destroyed his career and community standing was largely spent in casinos and hotels. One kind of problem leads to another and reputable, hard-working business owners, entrepreneurs, and individuals can find themselves in criminal tax trouble with the IRS.
In Ohio and elsewhere, if you know your books are cooked, speak with an experienced criminal tax defense attorney to find solutions sooner than later.
In Cleveland and Chicago, our tax lawyers deliver strong legal representation on criminal matters
The tax group at Robert J. Fedor, Esq., LLC offer experienced tax advice locally and abroad. If you are involved in tax litigation or have an upcoming IRS civil or criminal audit, call 800-579-0997 or contact us today for a free consultation.
