April 2025

Volume 120, Number 120

Jesus Zach Abikarram

Freedom Tax Resolution Times

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

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Knock, knock.

Who’s there?
Radio.

Radio who?
Radio not, tax season is here!

Celebrity Tattoo Artist’s Inkredible $641K Tax Fraud!

Renowned tattoo artist, Daniel Joseph Winter, known as Winter Stone, pleaded guilty to filing false tax returns. Operating in Los Angeles, New York, and Vancouver, Winter built a high-end business with his single-needle fine-line tattoos. Celebrity clients include Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, John Legend, Sophia Bush, Joe Jonas, Matt Damon, Jessica Alba and many others.

Between 2021 and 2023, Winter made at least 1.7 million dollars in income, but reported much less on his tax returns. In 2021, he claimed a loss of $3,442 instead of his actual income, which was $501,710. The following year, he claimed $1,105 in income instead of the $347,159 he made that year. In 2023, he reported only $14,852, though his real taxable income was $850,447. Winter cost the IRS a loss of over $641,000.

At his court hearing, Winter presented a cashier’s check for $641,959 to cover his unpaid taxes. He admitted to knowingly falsifying his tax returns and concealing earnings by accepting payments primarily in cash, making it difficult for the IRS to track his true income.

He faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison.

Company President Shocks Judge and Pleads Guilty to $1.22M IRS Fraud

Gail Hynson, the president and bookkeeper for an electrical company in Rhode Island, pleaded guilty to failing to pay over to the IRS 1.22 million dollars in payroll taxes she collected from employees from the years 2016-2024.

Hynson had the funds transferred to personal bank accounts and used the money to pay her mortgage, car payments and her daughter’s student loans. She and her husband also failed to report the stolen funds on their personal tax returns.

In addition to restitution, she was sentenced to two years of probation, which includes three months of home confinement, and 100 hours of community service.

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Tax Resolution Times

Paralegal Steals from Late Attorney’s Estate

A Kentucky paralegal, Crystal Whitaker, was indicted for embezzling funds from her deceased employer’s estate. She faces eight counts of wire fraud, three counts of tax evasion, and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Just two weeks after her boss, John Shelton, passed away, Whitaker forged his name on a bank document that authorized her to deposit and endorse checks payable to the firm. She then withdrew money from the firm’s bank accounts for personal items, deposited checks made out to the firm into her personal accounts, used company debit cards for purchases, and even opened her own debit card, listing herself as a partner.

Prosecutors claim that she stole $109,000, but Shelton’s family claims the loss was in the hundreds of thousands. Shelton’s widow is suing the bank that authorized Whitaker to endorse the firm’s checks.

Whitaker did not claim any of the stolen funds on her tax returns and faces up to 20 years in prison.

Couple Indicted on $7 Million Scheme Taking Money from Kid’s Food Program

A couple accused of masterminding a scheme that defrauded a Missouri program geared towards feeding low income children was arrested and indicted in federal court. Diarra Williams and Nicholas Warford siphoned more than seven million dollars from the state’s At-Risk After School Program, and Summer Food Service Program, between March 2020 and July 2022.

Williams and Warford claimed their nonprofit, The Bailey Foundation, served over 2.2 million meals to needy children. Instead, the couple laundered the program’s money through a company Warford owned, Warford Classic Catering, by creating fake invoices that showed meal purchases that were never made. For instance, an April 2021 invoice falsely stated they provided 208,456 meals, each including eight ounces of milk, though they bought no milk that month and spent less than $5,000 on food.

The couple led a lavish lifestyle. They purchased a $1.4 million home, a Lincoln Navigator, a Ram 1500 Rebel pickup, a Mercedes Benz Sprinter, a Chrysler Pacifica, and two Ram Promaster vans. They spent $140,000 on vacations, $100,000 on home furnishings, electronics, and landscaping, over $50,000 on private school tuition, and $460,000 on Warford’s mother.

The FBI has already seized several vehicles, and prosecutors are seeking the forfeiture of their home. Charges include wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and one count of obstruction of an official proceeding.

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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Office Manager Cooks the Books Gets to Cool Off in Prison for 51 months!

Angela Cooper, a former office manager at a heating and cooling company, was found guilty of tax fraud, embezzlement, bank fraud, and identity theft against a coworker.

For two years, Cooper exploited her access to the company’s checkbook and accounting software, and wrote over 100 checks to herself while forging the owner’s signature. She disguised the transactions as payroll and loans. In total, she stole $158,658.41 from her employer.

Cooper’s greed didn’t stop there – since she had access to employee records, including social security numbers, she was able to use a coworker’s personal information to get a Discover credit card, racking up $9,877.71 in charges in a matter of weeks.

Cooper failed to report the stolen funds as income on her 2019, 2020, and 2021 tax returns, causing a $35,000 tax loss to the IRS.

She was sentenced to 51 months in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay  $168,536.12 in restitution.

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.

Woman Compensates Herself with Payroll Tax Money Ordered to Pay Back Over $3 Million

Marielys Feliciano Rodriguez was found guilty of orchestrating a wire and tax fraud scheme that netted her millions.

The fraud began when Rodriguez created a fake construction company that she used  to get a workers’ comp insurance policy for a small payroll of $121,800.

Instead of using the policy legitimately, she “rented” it out to dozens of work crews, allowing employers to evade higher insurance costs and employ undocumented workers illegally. The policy premium she paid was only $8,006. An insurance policy covering the actual payroll of approximately five million dollars would have cost $461,679.

The contractors who used the policy issued payroll checks to Rodriguez’ shell company. She then  cashed the checks, totaling more than 13 million dollars, and took a 6% cut before paying workers in cash. This allowed employers to avoid paying payroll taxes, and led to over three million dollars in unpaid taxes.

She was sentenced to one year of house arrest, five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $3,338,558 in restitution.

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Tax Resolution Times

Did You Know?

In the 1700’s, England placed a tax on bricks. Builders realized that if they used bigger bricks they would pay less tax. the government caught on and placed a larger tax on bigger bricks. Brick taxes were repealed in 1850.

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… 

What is the world record for most sticky notes stuck on the face in 30 seconds?

a) 38

b) 57

c) 23

d) 45

Your IRS Questions Answered Here…

Question: I just received IRS notices claiming I owe $74,367 for several years of back taxes but do not have the money to pay them.  All I want to do is get them off my back and heard of something called an Offer in Compromise settlement.  What is it and how do I qualify?

Answer: An Offer in Compromise is a legal binding agreement between the taxpayer and the IRS that settles the full amount owed.  Many times, for a FRACTION of what’s owed. It’s the IRS’s version of a “fresh start” when it comes to IRS debt.  If approved, the IRS accepts a lesser amount to settle your entire debt.  However, it isn’t easy to gain approval due to its strict criteria and eligibility requirements.

The IRS considers your income, assets, expenses, ability to pay, and whether paying the full amount, even over time, would cause financial hardship. It’s important to remember that the IRS wants its money and will only accept an Offer in Compromise if it thinks it’s in the best interest of the government and it wouldn’t receive any money otherwise. It’s very a formulaic and process driven solution.

Your odds for acceptance increase significantly when you have an experienced tax resolution specialist negotiating with the IRS on your behalf. If you do qualify, we get to work immediately by implementing a customized resolution plan that fits your unique circumstances.

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 for a FREE, no-obligation confidential consultation!

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