SEATTLE, WA – A Lynnwood accountant is trading his calculator for a cell, after being sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for a decade-long scheme of wire fraud and tax evasion. BRUCE BERGMAN, 59, of Kirkland, Washington, was handed the sentence today by U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones, who called the crime a “devastating…wrecking ball” in the lives of his victims.
Bergman, who operated the Bergman Group accounting firm starting in 2000, preyed on family members he’d been doing taxes for nine years prior. Beginning in 2002, he convinced the couple he was handling their tax payments from funds they sent to his trust account. Instead, he pocketed the money, leaving them with a staggering tax bill exceeding $1 million. The scheme continued for nine years, built on a foundation of lies and carefully concealed IRS notices.
Federal investigators discovered Bergman actively intercepted official correspondence from the IRS, filing change of address forms to ensure the couple never received notifications about their unpaid taxes. This wasn’t a simple oversight; it was a deliberate act of deception designed to prolong the fraud. The ruse finally unraveled when the relatives sought a second opinion from another accountant, who quickly uncovered the years of unpaid taxes.
“It is bad enough that Bruce Bergman stole from the IRS, but it is unconscionable that he would steal from his own family,” stated Special Agent in Charge Teri Alexander of IRS Criminal Investigation. “The sentence today highlights the resolve of the Department of Justice and the IRS to protect the integrity of the tax system and holds Bergman accountable for his duties as a professional accountant.” The case underscores the vulnerability of even close relatives to financial exploitation by those in positions of trust.
Prosecutors revealed a disturbing detail during sentencing recommendations: Bergman’s theft wasn’t solely driven by greed. A significant portion of the stolen funds fueled a crippling drug habit that cost him as much as $400 per day. This addiction, they argued, necessitates drug treatment during his incarceration. While acknowledging the addiction, Judge Jones focused on the immense financial and emotional damage inflicted on the victims.
The investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Diggs prosecuted the case. Bergman’s case serves as a stark reminder that even those sworn to uphold financial integrity can succumb to criminal behavior, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the fallout for the victims.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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