Category Archives: Tax Fraud

Tanning and Other Phony Deductions

Posted on February 15, 2009 by Russ

Three Bozo tax preparers are in trouble this week. Two are the target of a Department of Justice lawsuit to shut them down; the other finds himself facing tax evasion charges. Let’s start in Clive, Iowa. Jill Schwartz-Musin and her … Continue reading →

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One of the Worst Cases I’ve Read About

Posted on February 15, 2009 by Russ

I like to poke some humor on tax fraud cases. This case has none of that, and I’m really disgusted about the facts of the case. Two judges in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania had a nice racket going. Judges Mark Ciavarella and … Continue reading →

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Lots of Fraud This Week

Posted on February 8, 2009 by Russ

Plenty of fraud to digest this week, with stories that span the globe. We even have what looks like a case that we reported on two years ago where the alleged perpetrator won’t be prosecuted after all. Let’s start in … Continue reading →

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Is There Something in the Water in Illinois?

Posted on February 8, 2009 by Russ

Suppose you’re a tax preparer, and your new client owes quite a bit. Being the ever helpful kind of person that you are, you suggest to him that he add some additional business losses, charitable contributions and child care expenses, … Continue reading →

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A Punter, a Pimp, and Two Executives

Posted on February 1, 2009 by Russ

With the Super Bowl having just ended, perhaps it’s appropriate that a former NFL punter makes the tax beat this week. He’s joined by a pimp and two executives in a potpourri of tax fraud. Let’s start in nearby Upland, … Continue reading →

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Three Fewer Bozo Tax Preparers on the Loose

Posted on February 1, 2009 by Russ

>From the East Coast comes two tales of Bozo tax preparers. They’re joined by one from the heartland. Together, it’s a trifecta of what not to do. First, Henderson Joseph of Clarksburg, Maryland used to own Triad Business Services. Mr. … Continue reading →

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Don’t Try These at Home

Posted on January 25, 2009 by Russ

We may have a new President, but it’s the same old tax fraud. Please, don’t try any of these yourself. >From Snohomish, Washington comes a crime that’s guaranteed to get yourself sent to ClubFed. Simply take the trust fund (FICA … Continue reading →

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The Family That Defrauds Together…

Posted on January 21, 2009 by Russ

My writing partner and I have been trying to figure out the subject of our next book. We’re thinking about a mystery, and it appears we’ve just had a plot handed to us. We’re going to open a home study … Continue reading →

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Selling Dependents?

Posted on January 19, 2009 by Russ

If you’re a tax preparer and you want to help your clients save money, one way would be to invent a dependent or two for them. Sure, you’re violating a law (or two), but your clients will save money. Not … Continue reading →

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Western Tax Service Rears Its Head…But in a Good Way

Posted on January 6, 2009 by Russ

Every so often I think that the saga of Western Tax Service has come to an end. Western, as you may remember, was the Anaheim-based tax preparation firm that thought that no deduction was too trivial to take for its … Continue reading →

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