September 2025

Volume 125, Number 125

Jesus Zach Abikarram

Freedom Tax Resolution Times

“Read About Taxpayers with IRS Problems & Find Out How to Solve Them”

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Question
Why do accountants seem to lead happy lives?

Answer
Because they are able to achieve balance most of the time.

Two-Time Tax Evader Has to Pay Over a $1,000,000 Back

William L’Europa was convicted of cheating on his taxes for the second time. This time around he failed to pay more than 1.3 million dollars in taxes, penalties, fees, and interest to the IRS for tax years 2007 through 2013.

In 2012, L’Europa and a business partner admitted to underreporting receipts from 2007 to 2010, shorting the IRS by more than $500,000. In January 2013, he was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison, ordered to amend his 2007–2011 returns, and pay back taxes.

By 2019 he was back at it. L’Europa submitted false documentation to the IRS suggesting he had little or no income, which paused collection efforts. In 2022, he signed an Offer in Compromise, again understating income, to try to reduce his liability. Investigators later determined he manipulated business finances and concealed lavish personal expenditures. These included more than $10,000 on a motorcycle, $100,000 to pay off a Rhode Island state debt, a $12,000 down payment on a truck for his wife, and multiple personal charges on a business credit card that were covered with company funds.

He has been ordered to pay restitution of $1,367,336.08 by his sentencing date in November.

Unlicensed Tax Preparer Files 560 Fraudulent Tax Returns

Elisa Brown, a St. Louis tax preparer, was sentenced to five years’ probation after admitting she doctored hundreds of false returns. Between 2016 and 2020, Brown prepared 560 tax returns from her home, charging clients between $150 to $250. She didn’t have a Preparer Tax Identification Number, so she digitally signed each return as if her clients had done it themselves.

Brown created imaginary businesses, added fake medical and dental expenses, and claimed non-existent cash donations. Her clients received thousands of dollars they weren’t eligible for. She was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $156,559.98.

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Tax Resolution Times

Man Hides Thousands from IRS to Keep Social Security Benefits

William Womack, the owner of a company that rented industrial and event tents, trailers, and special vehicles, admitted to underreporting his income so he could hold on to his social security benefits.

He concealed his income by cashing business checks at check-cashing outlets and writing fraudulent checks to fictitious employees and vendors. The extra cash funded a lifestyle of boats, luxury vehicles, RVs, and tickets to sporting events.

From 2019 through 2021, Womack reported wages of just $12,000 annually. Yet in 2020 alone, he failed to report $260,895 in income from the company. During that time he collected Social Security benefits ranging from $15,672 to $16,121 each year.

The scheme created an IRS tax loss of $219,599 over three years.

Womack agreed to restitution of $219,599 and faces up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

From Real Estate to Real Embezzlement

Christopher Septon was indicted for embezzling more than one million dollars from Ellis Properties, a family-run commercial real estate business in Minneapolis.

Septon charged over $800,000 on the company credit card, funneling payments into his own processing accounts. To cover his tracks, he wrote false statements in transaction memos, disguising transfers as business expenses with outside vendors. He also received 53 reimbursement checks for purchases he claimed he made on behalf of the company. He created fake invoices and emails to convince company personnel that the expenses were legitimate.

He impersonated government agencies, including the City of Minneapolis, the Metropolitan Council, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. He claimed Ellis Properties owed those agencies money, then redirected the payments to himself.

In 2008, Septon was sentenced to two years in prison, along with his father, for mortgage fraud.

Septon stole more than one million dollars from Ellis Properties and faces restitution and a lengthy prison sentence.

Thank you!

Thanks to YOU, the word is spreading. Thanks to my clients and friends who graciously referred me to their friends, clients and relatives last month! I enjoy building my business based on the positive comments and referrals from people just like you.


I just couldn’t do it without you!

Tax Resolution Times

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Payroll Director Attempts to Ride off with $400K

Kim Weinrich was found guilty of wire fraud and filing a false tax return after concocting an elaborate payroll scheme that siphoned nearly half a million dollars from Mustang Public Schools.

Weinrich worked for the school district from 2014 to 2022, rising to Director of Payroll Services. Beginning in 2016, she manipulated payroll software to inflate her net pay and deposited the excess into her personal account.

She used multiple tricks to hide her fraud, including adjusting payroll deductions for herself and changing voluntary deductions from positive amounts to negative amounts. She manipulated the software to make it appear as though she paid federal and state income taxes when she hadn’t, and entered fake withholdings that caused district employees to underreport their own taxes. In 2022 she filed a false tax return claiming just $91,295 in income when in reality it was much more.

In one example, Weinrich’s gross pay was $2,165.53, which should have left her $1,752.99 after deductions. Instead, she flipped her voluntary deductions to -$5,805.65, inflating her paycheck to $7,971.18. She repeated this maneuver across all her paychecks, pocketing $427,087.91 she wasn’t entitled to.

She was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay $595,970.21 in restitution, with $470,385.21 going back to the District and $125,585.00 to the IRS.

Are You My Next Client of the Month?

Every month I choose a very special Client of the Month. It’s my way of acknowledging good friends and saying “thanks!” to those who support me and my business with referrals, word of mouth and repeat business.

You might be my next Client of the Month too! Watch for your name here in an upcoming month.

Executive Impersonator Headed to Prison

Steven Ware pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft after pulling off a high-stakes scheme involving an $810,000 tax refund check.

In 2023, Ware opened several bank accounts in Massachusetts posing as both a Connecticut investment company and one of its executives. Using the executive’s full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and other personal details, Ware managed to set up the accounts.

Ware then returned to the credit union pretending to be the executive and deposited a U.S. Treasury check made out to the company and the executive for $810,337. Once the funds cleared, he quickly went to work, using a debit card to buy goods at retailers in New York, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. He also wired more than $634,000 of the money elsewhere while continuing to impersonate the executive.

For bank fraud alone, Ware faces up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and a one million dollar fine. Each aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory two years in prison, supervised release, and fines of up to $250,000.

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Tax Resolution Times

Did You Know?

Oliver Cromwell placed a tax on Royalists, who were his political opponents, taking one tenth of their property. He then used that money to fund his activities that were aimed against the Royalists.

Thank you for the Kind Words…

… I used one of those Runoff the Mill Tax Preparations firm and the preparer kept making it show like I had a loss in my business… I had no business and no loss… The IRS was billing me an outrageous amount. I learn of Freedom Tax Resolution, and they negotiated with the IRS for me. I’m very happy with their service.

-Earle G.

I’d Like to Hear From You!

If you have an IRS issue, or just want to refer a friend, relative or client, we’d love to hear from you. We can provide a no-obligation confidential consultation to help you solve your IRS problems.

Freedom Tax Resolution
600 W Hallandale Beach Blvd Ste 4
Hallandale Beach FL 33009
954-361-7400
jesus@freedomtaxresolution.com

Enter Our Trivia Contest for a Chance to Win a $250 Transferrable Gift Certificate!

Take the Trivia Challenge to win!

Each month, I’ll give you a new trivia question. The first THREE people who call my office with the correct answer win a free $250 reduction on any IRS service I provide. Your prize is also transferrable, so use it for yourself, or give it to a family member or friend. Take your best guess and call me at 954-361-7400

This month’s question is… 

India has the school with the most students. How many students does it have?

a) More than 23,000

b) More than 56,000

c) More than 15,000

d) More than 6,000

Your IRS Questions Answered Here…

Question: I’ve just discovered that my accountant was stealing money from my company. He has not paid any payroll taxes in over two years and the money is gone. What recourse do I have with the IRS?

Answer: Owing 941 payroll taxes is very different than owing personal 1040 income taxes. Not only can the IRS padlock the doors to your business, but they can also come after you personally, levy your bank accounts, confiscate your receivables, and seize your income and real property. Scarier still is that it could turn into a criminal matter. The IRS views this as if you stole their money. Payroll tax delinquency is the IRS’s number one enforcement priority. 

Even if you were embezzled from, you are still liable for the taxes. You may have grounds for penalty abatement, though. Acting quickly by getting help NOW greatly improves your chances for a successful resolution. The longer you wait, the more you risk this turning into a criminal matter, where your options are very limited. The IRS has special programs for business owners who have fallen behind on their payroll tax obligations. We can assess your situation and figure out the best way to protect you, take over all dealings with the IRS, and negotiate a resolution. Don’t let them take everything you’ve worked so hard for. Penalties and interest (@8%) are compound daily, just like a credit card. Don’t let this balloon out of control. Call us today so we can get you protected! There is a solution!

We at Freedom Tax Resolution are experts in IRS tax problem resolution and help taxpayers with their IRS Problems every day. We know the “ins and outs” and know how to navigate the IRS maze. There is a solution to EVERY problem. Call us today! 954-361-7400 a FREE, no-obligation confidential consultation!

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