WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Joseph Cerzone, a certified public accountant from White Plains, has pleaded guilty to orchestrating a massive $23 million tax fraud scheme that spanned four years.
Cerzone, 63, admitted before U.S. District Judge Nelson S. Román this morning to one count of endeavoring to obstruct and impede the due administration of the internal revenue laws and one count of subscribing to false tax returns. The accountant’s scheme involved filing fraudulent returns claiming more than $23 million in energy and coal credits on behalf of his clients, a move that was intended to secure substantial tax refunds.
According to court documents, Cerzone’s fraudulent activities began in 2009 and continued until 2012. During this period, the accountant also failed to report over $500,000 in income on tax returns for the years 2010 and 2011, further adding to his deception.
Each of the charges against Cerzone carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison. The potential sentences are determined by Congress but will ultimately be decided by Judge Román at Cerzone’s sentencing hearing scheduled for June 29, 2017.
In a statement, Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim commended the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, for their outstanding efforts in uncovering the fraud. Additionally, Kim expressed gratitude to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Tax Division for their significant contribution to the investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. Collins Jr., who heads the Office’s White Plains Division. The division remains committed to tackling financial crimes and protecting the public from such deceptive practices.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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