January 2025

Volume 117, Number 117

Jesus Zach Abikarram

Freedom Tax Resolution Times

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

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Professor:
What is the difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion.

Student:
Jail.

Entrepreneur Steals $2.3 Million In Payroll Taxes, Sentenced to Prison for Tax Evasion

If dodging taxes were an Olympic event, entrepreneur George Taylor might have a gold medal by now. Taylor pleaded guilty to evading $2,272,072 in employment taxes at his sports car shop, National Speed, between 2014 and 2021. He withheld taxes from employees’ paychecks and kept the money, using the funds to pay for business and personal expenses.

Taylor’s financial missteps are part of a long history of money mishandling. He declared bankruptcy in 2005 and 2012, escaping significant debts with minimal repayment. In one instance, he owed $369,000 in taxes for the year 2000 but settled with the IRS for just $6,500.

Taylor is no stranger to controversy. In 2017 he founded TRU Colors brewery, and hired rival gang members in the name of economic empowerment. The results were mixed, and in 2021 a brewery employee who was a top ranking gang member was murdered in the home of one of Taylor’s sons, a brewery executive. A year later Taylor announced he was closing the brewery. He gave employees two days’ notice, and left investors with no equity.

Taylor was sentenced to one year and one day in prison and ordered to pay $2,615,534 in restitution to the IRS.

Love Leads this Attorney to Commit Tax Fraud

A Chicago attorney, Michael Abramson, was convicted of tax fraud for filing false individual tax returns for himself and false corporate returns for a company he was a part owner of.

Abramson gave more than one million dollars to a woman he was romantically involved with to help pay for her personal expenses. Abramson took deductions on what were falsely listed as commissions or loans and then included the fake loans as assets on the company’s tax returns. Abramson paid for the woman’s condo, luxury cars, travel, shopping and restaurant meals.

Abramson faces restitution and a lengthy prison sentence.

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Tax Resolution Times

Return to Sender Tax Preparer’s Scheme Backfires

Valentina Martinez, a former employee of a national tax preparation service, pleaded guilty to five counts of theft after orchestrating a scheme that cost the IRS over $45,000.

Martinez added fake business deductions to clients’ returns after she had provided them with copies of their legitimate returns. She then filed the fraudulent returns and had the refunds deposited onto debit cards she used for personal spending—including ATM withdrawals and a vacation in Florida.

Martinez did not think through the scheme, as it unraveled as soon as the first client reported a missing refund, leading to Martinez’s termination. By the time she was caught Martinez had filed at least 12 fraudulent claims.

She faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, restitution to the IRS and a $250,000 fine.

Maintenance Man’s Dirty Scheme of Tax Theft and Money Laundering Gets Him Indicted

Michael Barker has been indicted on fraud, conspiracy, theft of federal funds, and money laundering.

Barker was the maintenance director for the Boone County Board of Education from 2015 to 2023, during which time he stole 3.4 million dollars by submitting fraudulent invoices for janitorial supplies, including $474,696 for undelivered hand soap.

Barker conspired with Jesse Marks of Rush Enterprises to falsify purchase orders for maintenance supplies such as hand soap, trash liners and masks. Marks billed for 4,993 cases of hand soap while delivering just 829. Barker pocketed $2 million from the scheme, using the funds to buy a utility vehicle and make down payments on heavy equipment.

Marks deposited the Boone County checks, funneled money through multiple banks, and hand delivered the payments to Barker in cash. For his part, Barker failed to report any of the money on his tax returns.

If convicted, Barker faces up to 30 years in prison, in addition to restitution to the Boone County Board of Education and the IRS. Marks is currently listed as an unindicted co-conspirator.

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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Not so Bright IT Guy Steals $2 Million from Safe Makes 287 Cash Deposits

Evan Bobzin was sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for stealing nearly 2 million dollars from his employer and tax evasion.

Bobzin’s embezzlement began in January 2016, when, as head of IT at Hoffman’s Gun Center, he started stealing cash from the company’s safe. His scheme was to arrive before the other employees, disconnect the servers linked to security cameras, swipe thousands of dollars from cash pouches, and then reconnect the system so no one would be the wiser. Between 2016 and 2023, Bobzin and his ex-wife made 287 cash deposits totaling $1,901,250 in stolen funds into their personal bank accounts. They also purchased cashier’s checks worth $161,330.

When the U.S. Attorney’s Office flagged his suspicious cash deposits in October 2022, Bobzin tried to outsmart authorities by switching banks and resuming structured deposits. On his 2020 tax return, Bobzin reported just $9,914 in taxable income, leaving out $432,615 in stolen funds, costing the IRS $110,530 that year alone.

Bobzin was ordered to pay $2,062,580 in restitution and owes the IRS $436,178 in unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest.

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.

Payroll Director Gives Herself Too Many Raises

Kim Weinrich pleaded guilty to wire fraud and filing a false tax return in a scheme that defrauded Mustang Public Schools of $471,657.91.

Between 2016 and 2022, while employed as payroll supervisor and later director of payroll services, Weinrich used her access to payroll software to inflate her paychecks and funnel the stolen funds into her personal bank account.

Weinrich’s scheme didn’t stop at padding her pockets, she manipulated payroll records to make it seem as though she paid significant federal income taxes, when in reality, no taxes were withheld. This not only caused Weinrich to file a fraudulent tax return in 2022, falsely reporting an income of $91,295, but also caused several employees to underreport their withholdings, reducing their tax refunds.

Weinrich faces restitution to her employer and the IRS, up to 23 years in prison, and fines of up to $350,000.

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Tax Resolution Times

Did You Know?

Germans who have been christened or baptized must pay 8 to 9 percent of their income to the church. If they opt out of the church tax, they can no longer attend weddings, baptisms and funerals.

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 football team last appeared in the Super Bowl the year Neal Armstrong landed on the moon?

a) Cleveland Browns

b) New York Jets

c) Detroit Lions

d) Atlanta Falcons

Your IRS Questions Answered Here…

Question: I own a small business and did not file or pay payroll taxes for the last few quarters. I may owe over $100,000 in 941 taxes. What should I do?

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 personal bank accounts, confiscate your receivables, and seize your income and real property. Scarier still is that it could turn into a criminal matter. Why? Because the money has already been deducted from your employee’s payroll checks; so, it’s not your money to begin with! The IRS views this as if you stole their money. Payroll tax delinquency is the IRS’s number one enforcement priority.

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 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 for a FREE, no-obligation confidential consultation!

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