In a shocking display of corporate greed, Moses Rapoza, 83, of Lakeville, has been charged with one count of filing a false tax return and eleven counts of failing to pay over to the IRS the taxes he withheld from employee wages.
Rapoza, the owner and operator of Global Specialty Glass Contractors, Inc., a glass installation business located in Fall River, allegedly withheld income taxes and Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes from wages he paid to his employees, but failed to pay the taxes to the IRS on behalf of the employees.
According to the indictment, Rapoza filed a false Form 941 tax return with the IRS, knowing that it understated the amount of wages paid to employees, and that – although he had withheld more than $170,000 in taxes from employee wages – he failed to pay those taxes over to the IRS.
The charge of filing a false tax return provides for a sentence of no greater than three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of failure to pay over taxes provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A. Wild of Lelling’s Economic Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Rapoza’s whereabouts are currently unknown, leaving many to wonder if he will be brought to justice. The case is a stark reminder of the importance of paying one’s taxes and the consequences of failing to do so.
Related Federal Cases
- DeLuca Pleads Guilty in Boston Club Owner’s ’93 Murder Case · Massachusetts
- Boston Cab Owner Tutunjian Cops to Tax Evasion, Wage Fraud · Massachusetts
- O’Donovan’s Drug Ring Busted by Feds · Massachusetts
- Nahant Man Indicted for Paying Hit on Business Owner · Massachusetts
- Crypto Con Man Squeezed $700K From Investors · Massachusetts
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
