Category Archives: Tax Fraud

Setting A Sterling Example….Not

Posted on April 26, 2007 by Russ

I’ve reported on the shenanigans committed by Renaissance, the Tax People, before. Today, former IRS District Director Jesse Cota pleaded guilty to defrauding the U.S. out of $1.3 million while he was with Renaissance. He also admitted to earning more … Continue reading →

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The Fiction Strikes Back

Posted on April 25, 2007 by Russ

I haven’t blogged about the arrest, conviction, and sentencing of Ed & Elaine Brown. “Ed and Elaine Brown insist tax laws do not exist and have holed up in their hilltop home in Plainfield, which has a watchtower, concrete walls … Continue reading →

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Some More Fraud

Posted on April 23, 2007 by Russ

Crime doesn’t pay, especially when you get caught. As I mentioned yesterday, I’ve got another full slate for you tonight. We’ll start with some garden variety fraud in Georgia. Stephen Taylor operated 20/20 Payroll Solutions, and he made sure that … Continue reading →

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$2 Million in Fruad Brings 15 Months and Restitution

Posted on March 30, 2007 by Russ

Superior Electric Company of Ohio had an interesting way to make a profit: they cooked the books. Back in November, two former executives pleaded guilty to defrauding the IRS. Yesterday, John McShane, the former CFO, was sentenced. Mr. McShane was … Continue reading →

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Anderson Gets Nine Years

Posted on March 28, 2007 by Russ

Walter Anderson, the former telecommunications executive who pleaded guilty to engaging in a $200 million tax fraud, received nine years in prison when sentenced on Tuesday. But Mr. Anderson did get lucky in one respect. Because the plea agreement was … Continue reading →

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The Renaissance Is Dead

Posted on March 26, 2007 by Russ

“Renaissance, the Tax People”, was, as I previously reported, a multi-level marketing firm specializing in tax. That was the legal part of the business. The illegal part, according to the Department of Justice (and the six individuals who have pleaded … Continue reading →

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Put Not Your Trust

Posted on March 26, 2007 by Russ

I’m a big fan of Rex Stout, the creator of fictional detective Nero Wolfe. Murder by the Book is prototypical Stout, and is one of my favorites. As a published author, I’ve gotten to see some of the workings of … Continue reading →

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Some Fraud

Posted on March 25, 2007 by Russ

This weekend’s edition of the fraud post features a bozo tax preparer, a contractor who built his dream house with the money he was supposed to send to the IRS, and a temp agency owner who allegedly did a good … Continue reading →

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A “Personal Piggy Bank” or a Well-Run Company?

Posted on March 20, 2007 by Russ

Two diametrically opposed visions of Hollinger, Inc. were presented to jurors in Chicago in opening arguments of the Conrad Black trial. Prosecutors, quoted by Bloomberg, called Hollinger Black’s “personal piggy bank.” His attorneys, though, claimed “[the] company was stolen out … Continue reading →

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Clear as Mud

Posted on March 18, 2007 by Russ

If I told you that there was a trial attracting a media circus in Chicago, you might wonder about my intelligence. Except for stories in the two daily Chicago newspapers (the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times), this trial might … Continue reading →

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