Holiday Deals Or Fraud? IRS Issues Warning For These Scams Holiday Deals Or Fraud? IRS Issues Warning For These Scams
Holiday Deals Or Fraud? IRS Issues Warning For These Scams As the holiday shopping season begins, the IRS reminds everyone that it’s not just your credit card balance you need to watch — it’s also your personal information. As part of its ninth annual National Tax Security Awareness Week, the IRS is warning taxpayers about a rise in holiday scams.  The scammers aren’t interested in gifts under your tree; they’re after your Social Security number and financial information instead. Here’s how scammers are getting creative—and how you can stay safe: Phishing Emails: Be wary of emails pretending to be from reputable retailers, shipping companie…
IT Manager Who Used Low-Tech Hack to Embezzle $2M From Newington Business Going to Prison: Feds IT Manager Who Used Low-Tech Hack to Embezzle $2M From Newington Business Going to Prison: Feds
IT Manager Who Used Low-Tech Hack to Embezzle $2M From Newington Business Going to Prison: Feds A Connecticut man will spend two years in federal prison after stealing nearly $2 million from his employer and dodging hundreds of thousands in taxes over a seven-year scheme, authorities said. Evan Bobzin, 39, of Chester, was sentenced to 24 months behind bars, followed by three years of supervised release, after admitting to embezzling $1.9 million from Hoffman’s Gun Center in Newington, where he worked as head of information technology, according to the US Attorney for Connecticut. Prosecutors said Bobzin used his insider access to methodically steal cash receipts from the store's safe …
Danbury Business Owner Sent to Prison For Evading Taxes On $1.5M In Earnings: Feds Danbury Business Owner Sent to Prison For Evading Taxes On $1.5M In Earnings: Feds
Danbury Business Owner Sent to Prison For Evading Taxes On $1.5M In Earnings: Feds A Connecticut business owner will spend seven months behind bars after he admitted to cheating the federal government out of the income tax on nearly $1.5 million in earnings, authorities said.  Bill G. Makros, 58, of Danbury in Fairfield County, pleaded guilty to tax evasion during the summer and was sentenced on Tuesday, Nov. 12, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. Along with his prison term, he must also pay the federal government $137,672 in restitution.   Makros, who owned Budget Tree and Stump Removal Service, LLC in Danbury, asked customers to write checks for the co…
Chatham Resident Made $54 Million, Didn't File Tax Returns: Feds Chatham Resident Made $54 Million, Didn't File Tax Returns: Feds
Chatham Resident Made $54 Million, Didn't File Tax Returns: Feds John Goggin, a Morris County resident, who previously served as general counsel for Moody's, was sentenced to eight months in prison on Thursday, Oct. 24, after admitting to failing to file an income tax return for several years, authorities said. Goggins, who lives in Chatham, was a former senior vice-president and general counsel for the credit rating service, before retiring in 2023. From 2018 to 2021, Goggins earned $54 million in earned income, yet never failed a federal income tax return, US Attorney Philip Sellinger said.   Goggins was also sentenced to one year of supervis…
Union County Man Pleads Guilty To Preparing Phony Tax Returns: Feds Union County Man Pleads Guilty To Preparing Phony Tax Returns: Feds
Union County Man Pleads Guilty To Preparing Phony Tax Returns: Feds A 59-year-old Union man admitted to preparing phony tax returns to help his clients get improperly large refunds on Thursday, Oct. 10, authorities said. From tax years 2018 through 2021, Emmanuel Amenyo ran a tax preparation business in which he prepared and submitted individual tax returns to the IRS on behalf of clients, US Attorney Phillip Sellinger said.  Amenyo filed numerous false tax returns on behalf of his clients and subscribed to false tax returns with respect to his own taxes, Sellinger said. These tax returns falsely claimed charitable contributions, itemized deductions, c…
Guilford Woman Who Pocketed $1.4M In Unpaid Business Taxes Gets 19 Months In Prison: Feds Guilford Woman Who Pocketed $1.4M In Unpaid Business Taxes Gets 19 Months In Prison: Feds
Guilford Woman Who Pocketed $1.4M In Unpaid Business Taxes Gets 19 Months In Prison: Feds A Connecticut businesswoman who admitted to withholding more than $1 million in payroll taxes to spend on her mortgage, home repairs, and casino trips will spend more than a year and a half behind bars, authorities announced.  Michelle Ann Gilson, 38, of Guilford in New Haven County, was sentenced this week to 19 months in prison followed by three years of probation, and she must pay the IRS more than $1.4 million in restitution, the US Attorney for Connecticut said.  Gilson co-owned and co-operated B&M Package Solutions, Inc. and formerly owned and operated Epic Empirez,…
Brick Township Business Owner Admits To Keeping Nearly $1M In Employees Taxes From IRS: Feds Brick Township Business Owner Admits To Keeping Nearly $1M In Employees Taxes From IRS: Feds
Brick Township Business Owner Admits To Keeping Nearly $1M In Employees Taxes From IRS: Feds A Brick Township construction company owner admitted to withholding his employees' taxes and not paying the money to the IRS, authorities said. Gerard Artz, 44, pleaded guilty on Thursday, Sept. 26 to failure to collect and pay over taxes, New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. He was the owner of Prime Installations, which operated in Brick and New York City. According to court documents and statements, Artz directed his company to withhold employment taxes from the company’s employees’ paychecks between 2016 and 2020. Prime Installations failed …
Man Admits To Embezzling $2M From Newington 'Good Guy' Gun Store: Feds Man Admits To Embezzling $2M From Newington 'Good Guy' Gun Store: Feds
Man Admits To Embezzling $2M From Newington 'Good Guy' Gun Store: Feds A Connecticut man faces more than a decade in prison after he admitted to stealing over $2 million from his former employer, authorities said.  Middlesex County resident Evan Bobzin, age 39, of Chester, pleaded guilty to interstate transmission of stolen money and tax evasion, the US Attorney General for Connecticut said.  Bobzin worked as the head of information technology at Hoffman’s Gun Center in the Hartford County city of Newington. The store also goes by the name Hoffman’s Guns For The Good Guys. The prosecutor said Bobzin stole cash from the 2686 Berlin Turnpike…
Politicians Speak Out After DC Council Member Arrested On Bribery Charges Politicians Speak Out After DC Council Member Arrested On Bribery Charges
Politicians Speak Out After DC Council Member Arrested On Bribery Charges There has been an outcry from elected officials in Washington after DC Council Member Trayon White, Sr. was arrested in connection to a bribery investigation. White, who represents Ward 8, was arrested this week on the federal charge following an investigation into the bribery claims. The 40-year-old Democrat, who is the Chair of the Council’s Committee on Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs, which oversees several agencies including the DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services is charged with accepting more than $150,000 in bribes. The complaint alleges that, beginning in J…
NJ Construction Business Owner Who Owes $1.3M+ In Taxes Admits To Evasion Scheme: Feds NJ Construction Business Owner Who Owes $1.3M+ In Taxes Admits To Evasion Scheme: Feds
NJ Construction Business Owner Who Owes $1.3M+ In Taxes Admits To Evasion Scheme: Feds A New Jersey construction company owner admitted to using his personal bank account to evade more than $1.3 million in taxes, authorities said. Alain Rodrigues, 49, of Old Bridge, pleaded guilty on Thursday, Aug. 1 to tax evasion and failure to collect and pay over taxes, New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said in a news release on Tuesday, Aug. 6. Rodrigues owned and operated a construction company in Old Bridge and Newark. According to court documents and statements, Rodrigues deposited some customers' payments into a business bank account and converted the ba…
IRS Announces 'Revolutionary' Electronic Tax Filing System For NJ Residents IRS Announces 'Revolutionary' Electronic Tax Filing System For NJ Residents
IRS Announces 'Revolutionary' Electronic Tax Filing System For NJ Residents The IRS and New Jersey are offering a new free electronic way to file taxes. The program, called IRS Direct File, was tested in 12 states including New Jersey during the 2023 tax filing season. Eligible taxpayers will be able to use Direct File, which is offered in English and Spanish, for their 2024 tax returns. The services has a deadline of April 15, 2025. After Garden Staters complete their federal returns with Direct File, a link will direct them to New Jersey’s separate free filing system for their state returns. During the pilot program last year, about 140,000 taxpayers claimed mo…
Ex-Central Mass Retail Manager Who Stole $400K From Employer Sentenced To Prison: Feds Ex-Central Mass Retail Manager Who Stole $400K From Employer Sentenced To Prison: Feds
Ex-Central Mass Retail Manager Who Stole $400K From Employer Sentenced To Prison: Feds A 49-year-old Worcester County former retail manager must repay the money he stole and pay nearly $90,000 in back taxes after he admitted to a payroll scheme at his former company, authorities said.  Anthony Prizio, of Blackstone, was sentenced to three years in prison on Monday, June 24, after he pleaded guilty in February to six counts of wire fraud and one count of tax evasion, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He must also pay $431,399 in restitution to his former unnamed employer.  Prizio was a manager at a Worcester second-hand retail store, and investigators said he f…