In the television show “Breaking Bad,” a high school chemistry teacher turns to selling methamphetamine to help his family; that’s a decidedly illegal activity. An IRS attorney is accused of pursuing the same activity.
Jack Vitayanon, an IRS attorney in the Office of Professional Responsibility, was arrested today and charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. According to the criminal complaint, Mr. Vitayanon has allegedly been trafficking drugs since 2014.
From the ICE press release,
“Selling methamphetamine is a serious crime which is made more egregious when it is committed by a U.S. government attorney assigned to the Office of Professional Responsibility of the IRS,” said Angel Melendez, special agent in charge HSI New York. “People that sell this highly addictive and destructive drug must be brought to justice before more lives are lost to this epidemic.”
The IRS Office of Professional Responsibility is to, “…[S]upport effective tax administration by ensuring all tax practitioners, tax preparers, and other third parties in the tax system adhere to professional standards and follow the law.” A CNBC news story states Mr. Vitayanon worked in investigating complaints against tax professionals for OPR.
Mr. Vitayanon faces several years at ClubFed if found guilty of the charge.