Michael J. Goll, Defrauding Employer and Filing False Taxes, Louisiana 2022

The Grimy Times has learned that Michael J. Goll, a 46-year-old resident of Kentwood, Louisiana, has been charged with defrauding his employer and filing false federal tax returns. The case, which was filed on February 11, 2022, alleges that Goll, the New Orleans branch manager of Company A, defrauded the company of approximately $549,667.39 between January 2013 and September 2017.

According to court documents, Goll executed the scheme by sending Company A false invoices from shell companies that he had created. The invoices were allegedly for work that was either done by Company A’s own employees or not done at all. Furthermore, Goll had a contractor who did personal work for him inflate his bills to Company A to cover the work done for Goll. Goll justified the overbilling by telling the contractor that he planned on buying Company A in the future, although he never did purchase the company and never told his employer about the overbilling.

As part of the scheme, Goll also allegedly filed false federal tax returns. For tax year 2017, Goll claimed that he had negative income of $22,102.00, when in fact his income for 2017 was $325,232.00.

Goll is charged with two counts: wire fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, and filing false federal tax returns in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(1). If convicted, Goll faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00 for the wire fraud charge, and a maximum penalty of 3 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.00 for the tax charge. Each count also carries a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

Goll’s case is being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew R. Payne is in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans reiterated that a bill of information is merely an accusation and that the guilt of a defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The case will be presided over by U.S. District Judge Wendy B. Vitter.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.

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