July 2026

Volume 135, Number 135

Jesus Zach Abikarram

Freedom Tax Resolution Times

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

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

“I don’t mind paying taxes.
It’s the surprise ending every year that gets me.”
Author Unknown

From Little League To Federal Charges; Strikes Out After Failing to Report What He Stole!

The chairman of a parks and recreation commission in Massachusetts was indicted for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from a local youth baseball and softball organization and failing to report the money to the IRS.

From 2019 to 2025, Christopher Gerstel was also Vice President of Baseball Operations for the local little league. In that role, he had exclusive access to the software system used by the organization to pay professional umpires.

Beginning in 2019, while facing thousands of dollars in credit card debt, Gerstel began diverting league funds into his personal bank account. Between June 2019 and October 2024, he made more than 200 unauthorized wire transfers. The money was used to pay off credit cards, make car payments, and to cover other expenses, including purchases at country clubs and cash withdrawals at casinos.

Gerstel was caught when a new treasurer reviewed the organization’s finances and discovered unusually large transfers from the league’s bank account into the umpire payment system. This led to the discovery that more than $250,000 had been transferred from the league into Gerstel’s personal account.

Gerstel failed to report the stolen funds on his 2019 and 2022 tax returns, and failed to file returns altogether in 2020, 2021 and 2023.

He was charged with 12 counts of wire fraud, two counts of filing false tax returns and three counts of failure to file. He faces a lengthy prison sentence and restitution.

Tax Evader Massages the Books And Gets 18 Months in Prison!

Danny Nickelson Jr., the owner of General Physiotherapy, makers of massage and percussion devices used in medicine and physical therapy, was found guilty of failing to pay 10 years of employment taxes totaling $774,081.

From 2013 to 2022, Nickelson withheld taxes from his employees but kept the money. From 2013 to 2015 he did the same thing through another company he owned, Tomichi Industries, a plastic distributor and supplier of General Physiotherapy. He used the funds for business and personal use.

He was sentenced to 18 months in prison, ordered to pay restitution and a fine of $18,684.

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Tax Resolution Times

Scrap Happens Thief and Tax Evader Heads to Prison

James Scholten was found guilty of tax evasion after failing to report 3.4 million dollars in income.

For 13 years, Scholten had a lucrative side hustle stealing scrap metal from his employer and selling it on his own.

Scholten intentionally kept records of the recycling income from his CPA, ensuring the earnings were left off his tax returns. By hiding the income, he avoided paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal taxes over the course of the scheme.

In 2021, Scholten reported owing just $2,465 in federal income taxes. In reality, he made  $610,818 in taxable income from his side business that year alone, and had a tax liability of $172,618. The proceeds allowed Scholten to finance a lifestyle he wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise.

He was sentenced to 20 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $868,707 in restitution to the IRS.

Tax Cheating Doctor Faces Lengthy Prison Sentence!

A Michigan doctor was convicted of tax evasion after he failed to pay taxes on income earned through illegal prescription sales and businesses he secretly controlled through nominee owners.

Peter Nwoke operated two medical practices that primarily served homebound Medicare patients. To conceal income, he created two additional companies that he registered in the names of other individuals, while maintaining control of the businesses and collecting the profits.

He also sold prescriptions for more than 2.8 million dosage units of highly addictive opioid medications, charging $500 for prescriptions of OxyContin and oxycodone. The prescriptions were filled by dealers who later resold them on the street. Nwoke deposited more than 1.4 million dollars in cash from these sales into 20 different bank accounts, and never reported the income to the IRS.

During tax years 2011, 2012, and 2013, Nwoke underreported his taxable income by more than two million dollars, which resulted in underreporting taxes owed by more than $725,000. Records showed he paid $29,424 in taxes when he should have paid $849,088. In a different year, Nwoke reported only $500 in taxes despite earning more than $400,000.

He faces a long prison sentence and restitution.

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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Doctor Is Prescribed 58 Months for Tax Evasion and Insurance Fraud!

A disgraced physician was found guilty of carrying out multiple fraud schemes that targeted insurance companies and the IRS, while concealing millions of dollars in income.

Pankaj Merchia engaged in two separate health care fraud schemes involving CPAP and BiPap machines. Between 2017 and 2019, Merchia billed former patients’ insurance companies for monthly equipment rentals even though he had not treated some of those patients since at least 2011. In several cases, patients had already returned the devices. Proceeds from that scheme helped fund the purchase of an expensive home.

Merchia defrauded another insurance company out of more than $390,000 by submitting claims for a CPAP machine provided to his brother. After learning the insurer would not cover treatment rendered by a family member, Merchia created a new medical business and resubmitted claims under the new entity. He used those proceeds to fund a $250,000 wire transfer and purchase at least $140,000 in securities.

Between 2009 and 2019, he failed to report or pay taxes on more than 6.5 million dollars in income earned through his medical businesses. He falsely claimed the businesses were owned by a co-conspirator through a sham 2008 sale, and used fabricated amortization deductions over many years to avoid taxes.

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.

Man Launders Tax Refunds Through Money Orders

Festus Anyiam was found guilty of stealing government funds and laundering the proceeds of fraudulent tax refunds obtained through identity theft.

In 2015, Anyiam used stolen personal information belonging to taxpayers in Illinois and Missouri to file false tax returns. The returns directed the IRS to send refund payments through a third-party tax preparation software company, which then loaded the funds onto prepaid debit cards activated using the victims’ stolen identities.

The debit cards were used to purchase money orders from retail stores throughout Atlanta. Then, during a three-week period in June and July 2015, Anyiam used ATMs across Atlanta to deposit hundreds of those money orders into his personal bank account.

In another effort to conceal the origin of the funds, Anyiam purchased a cashier’s check for $406,000 and deposited it into an account at another bank.

In addition to restitution, he faces up to 40 years in prison for theft and 20 years in prison for money laundering.

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Tax Resolution Times

Did You Know?

In South Carolina, licensed meat packers, butchers and processing plants can get a tax credit of $75 for every deer carcass processed and donated to a charitable organization. The organization must have a contract with a nonprofit to supply food to the needy.

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… 

Which US President was born on the Fourth of July?

a) John Adams

b) Ronald Reagan

c) Herbert Hoover

d) Calvin Coolidge

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  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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