Miami Lawyer Faces Tax Fraud Charges

GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE: Miami attorney Steven E. Siff is facing serious charges after failing to file income tax returns for over two decades, a federal crime that could land him in hot water with the feds.

Siff, who has worked as an attorney at the Miami office of an international law firm since 1982, is accused of willfully evading taxes on approximately $8.25 million in partnership profits from 2001 to 2011.

According to federal prosecutors, Siff’s tax evasion started in 1997 and continued for over a decade. For the years 2009 through 2011 alone, he failed to report nearly $2.15 million in gross partnership income.

“This is a clear example of an attorney who has turned his back on his legal responsibilities,” said Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. “The IRS-CI did a remarkable job uncovering these violations.”

The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bertha R. Mitrani, who has been instrumental in bringing high-profile financial crime cases to justice.

As with all criminal charges, Siff is presumed innocent until proven guilty. A copy of the press release and related court documents can be found on the websites of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls, and the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.