Jesus Zach Abikarram

August 2024

Volume 111, Number 111

Freedom Tax Resolution Times

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

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Q: Why are accounting departments the most welcoming?

A: Because they know everyone counts.

Dodgers Sensation’s Translator Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud and Stealing $17 Million From His Bank Account

Ippei Mizuhara, the translator for Dodgers pitching ace Shohei Ohtani, pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud charges, after initially pleading not guilty.

Mizuhara admitted to wiring more than 17 million dollars from Ohtani’s bank account to an offshore bookmaker to pay for his gambling debts. Between December 2021 and January 2024, Mizuhara placed more than 19,000 bets, most with Ohtani’s money, and all without the pitcher’s knowledge. During that time Mizuhara won 142 million dollars and lost 182 million dollars.

Mizuhara helped Ohtani open the bank account he had access to in 2018, and later changed the email address and phone number attached to the account so he would receive all bank notifications. Mizuhara admitted to impersonating Ohtani on at least 24 calls with the bank, verifying wire transfers Ohtani had not approved.

Further probing into Mizuhara’s finances showed that he used Ohtani’s funds for more than just gambling. He spent more than $325,000 on eBay and Whatnot, buying more than 1000 collectible baseball cards that prosecutors allege he was intending to resell. He also spent thousands on dental work.

Mizuhara also failed to report more than four million dollars on his 2022 tax return, and owes approximately $1,149,400 in additional taxes for that year. He faces up to 33 years in prison and restitution to Ohtani and the IRS.

Tax Preparer Steals Millions, Gambles it Away, Gets 57 Months!

A New Jersey tax preparer, Omar Khater, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for filing false tax returns.

Khater and a relative began their scheme by stealing identities, and then using those identities to file false tax returns. They claimed income and millions of dollars in gambling and lottery winnings, and then claimed tax withholdings that entitled the recipients to large refunds. Altogether the IRS issued 4.49 million dollars in refunds, which Khater and others diverted to bank accounts they controlled.

In addition to the prison sentence, Khater was ordered to pay 4.49 million dollars in restitution.

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Tax Resolution Times

Check Cashing Compliance Officer Out of Compliance

David Katz, the compliance officer of a check cashing company with multiple locations in Oregon, was found guilty for his part in hiding millions of dollars from the IRS.

Katz helped local construction companies pay wages under the table by allowing the companies to cash more than 177 million dollars in payroll checks between January 2014 and December 2017.

Katz would be notified when the companies planned to bring checks to one of the check cashing locations so he could have enough cash on hand. Hundreds of thousands of payroll checks were cashed daily.

As compensation, Katz was paid a 2% commission on all transactions, for a total of more than four million dollars.

The scheme prevented the IRS from collecting more than 44 million dollars in payroll and income taxes.

Katz faces up to 15 years in prison, $500,000 in fines and restitution to the IRS.

Modest Needs Charity Founder Embezzles $2.5 Million To Live Lavish Lifestyle

Keith Taylor, who founded the New York non-profit, Modest Needs, was charged with embezzling 2.5 million dollars from the organization.

Modest Needs used crowd-sourcing to raise funds to help low income individuals and families with unexpected expenses.

Between 2016 and 2024, Taylor embezzled more than 2.5 million dollars from the charity. He spent more than $320,000 of charity money at New York City restaurants and steakhouses, over $100,000 on food delivery services, and more than $300,000 on rent for a luxury apartment in a Manhattan skyscraper. He bought expensive electronics, used charity funds for personal cosmetic surgery, and put $270,000 in his personal brokerage account.

To hide his embezzlement, Taylor created a fake board of directors, listing friends and his house cleaner on the charity website, and claimed that they had approved his expenses. The friends and house cleaner had never attended a board meeting and had no idea they were even listed on the website.

Between 2017 and 2022, Taylor filed no personal income tax returns and nor did he pay taxes on the income from the charity.

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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Film Producer Produces Drama with the IRS

Paul Cromar, a freelance film producer, was convicted of tax evasion and forcibly retaking property that had been seized by the government to pay his tax debt.

From 1999 to 2005, Cromar filed no tax returns and paid no tax. The IRS did an audit in 2007 and ordered him to pay $703,266.96 in taxes, interest and penalties. Failing to pay any of the money due, the IRS moved to foreclose on his home.

As soon as a judge approved the sale of the home by auction, Cromar tried to stop the sale by submitting bogus documents on the property’s title and with the IRS. He also attempted to harass IRS employees by filing frivolous lawsuits against them personally.

Just before the court ordered sale of the house closed, Cromar broke into the home and reclaimed it. He and his wife stayed in the house for more than eight months, refusing to leave. Cromar fortified the home with weapons, sandbags and bomb making materials in order to keep everyone out. At one point, a SWAT team showed up at the house after Cromar invited an armed militia to help him protect the property, scaring neighbors.

Cromar caused a total tax loss to the IRS of $1,174,201.91. He faces up to seven years in prison and has asked the courts for leniency. Having spent 99 days in jail before the trial, he told the judge those days were, “really painful and harrowing.”

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.

Retired Delta Airlines Pilot Grounded

Charles Sorenson, a retired Delta Airlines pilot, was found guilty of tax evasion, filing false tax returns, failing to file tax returns and making false claims.

In January 2017, Sorensen filed a tax return for the 2015 tax year where he claimed he was entitled to a $55,365 tax refund. In reality, he owed more than $49,000 in taxes that year. In March of the same year he filed a return for the 2016 tax year, where he claimed a refund of $123,370. For that tax year he owed more than $175,000.

It wasn’t until Sorensen was audited that the IRS discovered he had received more than $150,000 in refunds he was not entitled to, and owed more than $299,000 in taxes and penalties.

Sorenson refused to pay the tax debt and went to great lengths to evade collection efforts. He hid his income and assets in shell religious non-profits and liquidated his retirement accounts and converted the funds into cryptocurrency.

Sorenson also didn’t file tax returns for 2017, 2018 and 2019.

He faces several years in prison and restitution to the IRS.

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Tax Resolution Times

Did You Know?

Bermuda is the country with the lowest personal and corporate income tax rate: 0

The Ivory Coast is the country with the highest personal income tax rate: 60%

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 state spent more than 125 million dollars on fireworks, more than any other state?

a) California

b) Arkansas

c) Texas

d) Missouri

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 about $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 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 (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 at solving complex 941 and tax resolution matters and help taxpayers with their IRS Problems every day. Call us today at 954-361-7400 for a FREE, no-obligation, confidential consultation. We can put a stop to the IRS’s aggressive enforcement tactics, but you must take that first step and pick up the phone. Call us today!

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