Kalmar Indicted: $480K Tax Fraud Scheme Unraveled

FORT MYERS, FL – Attila Kalmar, a resident of Lee County, Florida, is facing serious federal charges after a grand jury returned an indictment on February 15th, unsealed today. Kalmar is accused of orchestrating a brazen tax refund fraud scheme, attempting to siphon over $480,000 from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

According to the indictment, Kalmar filed false trust returns from 2007 through 2009, utilizing a nominee entity called First AK-Open Sec Trust. These filings were specifically designed to generate fraudulent refunds. Once a refund check landed in his account, Kalmar didn’t hesitate to spend it, allegedly using the ill-gotten gains to purchase real estate, amass thousands of dollars in gold coins, and wire money to overseas accounts.

The scheme didn’t stop at simply claiming false refunds. The indictment further alleges Kalmar actively attempted to obstruct the administration of the internal revenue laws. He reportedly shuffled funds between various nominee bank accounts and, in a particularly audacious move, falsely informed the IRS that an IRS revenue officer was the trustee for First AK-Open Sec Trust – a blatant attempt to mislead investigators.

U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley III for the Middle District of Florida and Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division announced the indictment. While the indictment details these serious allegations, it’s crucial to remember that Kalmar is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

If convicted on all counts, Kalmar is staring down a potentially lengthy prison sentence. He faces a statutory maximum of 20 years for each count of mail fraud, 10 years for each count of money laundering, and an additional three years for corruptly endeavoring to impede the administration of the internal revenue laws. Beyond incarceration, Kalmar could also be subjected to a period of supervised release, ordered to pay restitution, and face substantial monetary penalties and forfeiture of assets.

The investigation was a collaborative effort, led by special agents of IRS–Criminal Investigation and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Kathryn A. Kimball and William M. Montague of the Tax Division, alongside Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael C. Baggé-Hernández of the Middle District of Florida. More information regarding the Tax Division’s enforcement efforts can be found on their website.