TRENTON, N.J. – A Monmouth County brother and sister have been arrested for their alleged involvement in a tax evasion scheme that spanned nearly a decade, resulting in the evasion of over $1.5 million in payroll taxes. Enrico Cifelli, 51, of Holmdel, New Jersey, and Michelle Bocchieri, 42, of Matawan, New Jersey, were taken into custody and charged with various tax-related crimes by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
According to the indictment, Cifelli and Bocchieri conspired to defraud the United States by evading the payment of payroll taxes, penalties, and interest owed by Cifelli’s companies, Cifelli Disposal Inc. and LBAB LLC. The indictment alleges that Cifelli failed to pay the majority of payroll taxes for his companies between 2004 and 2015, resulting in over $1.5 million in unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest.
As part of their scheme, Cifelli and Bocchieri allegedly conspired to have Bocchieri fund Cifelli’s lifestyle through an entity she nominally owned, but Cifelli controlled. For example, Bocchieri paid the down payment, mortgage, and other expenses for Cifelli’s personal residence. Cifelli also submitted a false Offer in Compromise to the IRS in June 2016, making multiple misrepresentations and material omissions of his assets and household income.
Cifelli and Bocchieri were each charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, one count of evasion of payment of payroll taxes, four counts of failure to pay over payroll taxes, and one count of evasion of assessment of income tax. Each count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss to any person, whichever is greatest.
Cifelli was released on a $500,000 unsecured appearance bond, while Bocchieri was released on a $250,000 unsecured appearance bond. The defendants are scheduled to arraignment on April 4, 2022, via videoconference before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the IRS-Criminal Investigation with the investigation leading to the charges. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa T. Wiygul of the Criminal Division in Camden.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defendant: Enrico Cifelli
Criminal Charges: One count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, one count of evasion of payment of payroll taxes, four counts of failure to pay over payroll taxes, and one count of evasion of assessment of income tax
City and State: Monmouth County, New Jersey
Date: March 3, 2022
Sentence/Outcome: Currently out on bond, arraignment scheduled for April 4, 2022
Dollar Amount: $1.5 million
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Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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