Wanted: a notorious tax cheat.
Wanted: a man who sold memberships in a shady scheme called First American Research (FAR) and a book entitled, ‘Tax Free! How the Super Rich Do It.’
His name is Donald Turner, a former Littleton, Colo., resident who was found guilty of conspiring to defraud the United States by a federal jury in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania in Erie, Pa., the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today.
The Honorable Maurice B. Cohill, Senior District Judge, presided over the case. According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Turner promoted and sold memberships in First American Research (FAR) and a book entitled, ‘Tax Free! How the Super Rich Do It.’
In 1991, Turner sold the program to Daniel Leveto, a Meadville, Pa., veterinarian. As part of the program, Leveto utilized various methods to conceal his income from the IRS as directed by Turner. One of these methods included the purported sale of Leveto’s veterinary business to an alleged offshore entity called Center Company.
Leveto actually retained dominion and control over the veterinary business. The object of the conspiracy was to conceal and prevent the IRS from discovering and identifying income received by the Levetos and assets held by them.
In June of 2005, a jury convicted Leveto of all counts, and he was subsequently sentenced to 46 months in prison.
Turner faces a maximum punishment of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Judge Cohill scheduled sentencing for Jan. 18, 2012.
The case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Justice Tax Division trial attorneys Andrew Young and Thomas Voracek.
More information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/tax.
Related Federal Cases
- Donald Smith, $1M+ Scam, Pittsburgh PA, 2019-2023 · Pennsylvania
- Nicole Hilstolsky Sentenced for Embezzlement, Pennsylvania, 2018 · Pennsylvania
- Emily Wilson, Investment Adviser Fraud, Pennsylvania, 2023 · Virginia
- Nicole Hilstolsky, Embezzlement, Pennsylvania, 2018 · Virginia
- Donald Trump Found Liable for Financial Fraud, New York NY, 2024 · New York
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News