A shocking case of tax evasion has landed a University Place, Washington tax preparer in hot water. JOSEPH J. DORIA, 70, was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay $146,226 in restitution for falsifying his tax returns in 2007, 2008, and 2009.
DORIA pleaded guilty to the charges, admitting that he had submitted fraudulent tax returns that understated his income and overstated his expenses. According to DORIA, a gambling addiction led him to cheat on his taxes. However, this excuse did little to sway U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle, who made treatment with Gamblers Anonymous a condition of DORIA’s probation.
The fraud was uncovered during an IRS audit of DORIA’s returns in 2011, which revealed a total tax loss of $146,226 over the three-year period. Prosecutors argued that DORIA, a respected tax accountant and tax preparer with over 35 years of experience, was well aware of the wrongful nature of his conduct.
Prosecutors noted that DORIA’s background in tax preparation and accounting meant he was fully aware of alternatives to falsifying his tax returns. He could have approached the Internal Revenue Service and sought relief, such as an offer in compromise to provide him with more time to pay his taxes or a reduction in his total tax liability. Instead, DORIA chose to falsify his tax returns, a decision that has now landed him in trouble with the law.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI) and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lawrence Lincoln. The sentence handed down by Judge Settle reflects the seriousness of DORIA’s crimes and serves as a warning to others who would seek to cheat the system.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has made it clear that tax evasion will not be tolerated, and those who engage in such activities will be held accountable. As the case against DORIA demonstrates, the consequences of tax evasion can be severe, including significant financial penalties and damage to one’s reputation. For more information, contact Emily Langlie at (206) 553-4110 or Emily.Langlie@usdoj.gov.
In a statement, prosecutors emphasized the importance of honesty and integrity in tax preparation and accounting. The case against DORIA serves as a reminder that even respected professionals can fall prey to the temptation to cheat the system. However, the law will not tolerate such behavior, and those who engage in tax evasion will be brought to justice.
Related Federal Cases
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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