Category Archives: Tax Evasion

Off the Farm

Posted on April 25, 2010 by Russ

There’s tax evasion, and there’s big-time tax evasion. Bill Melot, of Hobbs, New Mexico, committed really big-time evasion. Mr. Melot had a farm near Hobbs. The news report doesn’t indicate what he grew, but he did get farm subsidies from … Continue reading →

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Not All Publicity Is Good Publicity

Posted on March 23, 2010 by Russ

There’s an old saying, “All publicity is good publicity.” Sometimes, though, it’s not. Especially if you’re a Bozo. Take Scott Mitchell, the owner of Central Iowa Amusements. Mr. Mitchell’s company got some good words in the Des Moines Register; his … Continue reading →

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A Companion to Tax Trouble

Posted on March 21, 2010 by Russ

After ranting on health care, it’s time for the lighter side of taxes. That means a visit to that old standby, the escort service, where tax trouble is apparently second nature. Let’s head to Salt Lake City where companionship appeared … Continue reading →

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$15 Million in Allegedly Phony Refund Claims

Posted on March 17, 2010 by Russ

I’ve seen returns requesting large tax refunds, but I haven’t personally seen one requesting $2.5 million. However, that’s what Alexander Adams and his son Garrett, of nearby Huntington Beach, requested from the IRS. There’s just a few problems with the … Continue reading →

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Best Structuring In a Supporting Role…

Posted on March 7, 2010 by Russ

With the Academy Awards being broadcast this evening, it’s appropriate to look at a case from the movies. Cindy Ondracek and her husband owned a drive-in movie theater in Port Orchard, Washington; they also owned another cinema in Bremerton, Washington. … Continue reading →

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Dumb Criminals, Tax Evading Style

Posted on February 28, 2010 by Russ

If you commit a crime, it’s definitely not a good idea to brag about it to others. It’s an especially bad idea to brag about it on the Internet. Yes, law enforcement and the IRS read the Internet. Joe Kristan … Continue reading →

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When the Whine Under the Hood Is a Dead Rat

Posted on February 21, 2010 by Russ

Finding a good, honest automobile mechanic can be difficult. I’ve been lucky; my car is fairly reliable and my mechanic really is honest. Unfortunately, there’s a mechanic in the Bay Area who invented a unique way to rip off the … Continue reading →

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Another Early Nominee for Bozo Tax Offender of the Year

Posted on February 9, 2010 by Russ

It’s only February and we have our second nominee for the Bozo Tax Offender of the Year award. Via the TaxGirl comes the sorry story of Jonathan Wiktorchik, Jr. Mr. Wiktorchik lost his Chiropractic license in 2007. He had pleaded … Continue reading →

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What €2.5 Million Buys You

Posted on February 7, 2010 by Russ

You can buy a lot with €2.5 Million. That’s about $3.41 million, about the salary of a typical major league baseball player. It can also buy you one cd, normally priced at about $0.35 (or about €0.26). Why the mark-up? … Continue reading →

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Falling from the Summit

Posted on February 7, 2010 by Russ

Roger Shoffstall ran the Summit Telephone and Telegraph Company in Alaska. The company serviced areas north of Fairbanks. As I reported last September, Mr. Shoffstall wanted his after-tax profit to be the same as his before-tax profit. That’s tough to … Continue reading →

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