Albany Doc Cooks the Books: Sperrazza Convicted

ALBANY, GA – Dr. Robert B. Sperrazza, 60, formerly of Lee County, Georgia, is facing serious time after a federal jury found him guilty of deliberately dodging his tax obligations and illegally structuring financial transactions. The verdict came today, June 7, 2013, following a four-day trial in United States District Court before Judge W. Louis Sands.

Sperrazza was convicted on all five counts leveled against him. Counts 1-3 charged him with felony tax evasion, while Counts 4 and 5 accused him of currency structuring – a tactic used to avoid triggering federal reporting requirements. Prosecutors laid out a damning case, proving Sperrazza personally cashed over $1 million in checks from his patients at a local Albany bank. The transactions were meticulously crafted to remain under the $10,000 threshold, a clear attempt to conceal the funds and further his tax avoidance scheme.

The once-respected anesthesiologist practiced in Albany for years before briefly opening a pain clinic in Panama City Beach, Florida. He is no longer practicing medicine. The government’s investigation revealed a pattern of deliberate deceit, suggesting Sperrazza viewed tax laws as mere suggestions rather than binding obligations. This isn’t a case of simple oversight; it’s calculated fraud.

Currently released on bond, Sperrazza faces a potentially lengthy prison sentence. He could receive up to five years for each of the three tax evasion counts, and a maximum of ten years for each of the two currency structuring charges. On top of that, he’s looking at fines of up to $250,000 per count. The government plans to push for full restitution and forfeiture of any illegally obtained assets at the sentencing hearing, expected to occur in approximately three months.

“In these difficult economic times, the evasion of taxes is especially damaging to the United States and this office will pursue vigorously those who seek to enrich themselves by evading their lawful obligation to the Government,” stated U.S. Attorney Michael J. Moore. Veronica Hyman-Pillot, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation, added, “Financial crimes, especially structuring, are oftentimes a method used to evade payment of taxes lawfully owed to the United States. The guilty verdict returned today clearly reaffirms that knowingly defying the tax laws will not be tolerated by the American people.”

The investigation was a joint effort by the Criminal Investigation Division and the Special Enforcement Program of the Internal Revenue Service, alongside the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney James N. Crane prosecuted the case for the Middle District of Georgia. Anyone with further inquiries should contact Sue McKinney, Public Affairs Specialist, United States Attorney’s Office at (478) 621-2602. This case serves as a stark warning: no one, regardless of profession, is above the law when it comes to paying their fair share.