Michael L. Meyer, Tax Evasion, Florida 2024

Florida Attorney Michael L. Meyer Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion Scheme

A Florida attorney has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and tax evasion, arising out of his promotion of an illegal tax shelter scheme involving false charitable deductions.

Meyer, of Davie, Florida, organized and sold the Ultimate Tax Plan, an illegal tax shelter designed to assist high-income individuals in reducing their taxes. He marketed the scheme as a way for clients to reduce their taxes by claiming deductions for charitable donations that he knew were fraudulent.

According to court documents, Meyer prepared boilerplate transaction paperwork for his clients, which made it appear that they had donated valuable property to charities Meyer controlled. In fact, the clients retained complete control over the donated assets. Meyer illegally advised that clients could access their donated assets for their own personal use through tax-free loans and execute an “exit strategy” to buy back their donations at a significantly discounted rate.

In some instances, Meyer backdated documents so that clients could claim these purported donations on their prior years’ tax returns. The Justice Department filed a civil suit against Meyer in April 2018, seeking to enjoin him from continuing to promote the Ultimate Tax Plan. A federal district court permanently enjoined him from organizing, promoting, marketing or selling the Ultimate Tax Plan in April 2019.

Meyer earned more than $10 million from selling the Ultimate Tax Plan. He used that income to purchase a multimillion-dollar estate and a luxury vehicle collection that included Lamborghinis, Rolls Royces, Mercedes Benzes, a Bentley and a Ferrari.

A sentencing date has not been set yet. Meyer faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each charge. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Assistant Chief Michael Boteler and Trial Attorneys Andrew Ascencio and Michael Jones of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant’s Real Full Name: Michael L. Meyer, Exact Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to defraud the United States and tax evasion, City and State: Davie, Florida, Exact Date: Not specified, Sentence or Outcome: Awaiting sentencing.

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