PHILADELPHIA, PA – Drew Alia, 40, of Philadelphia, is trading legal briefs for prison stripes. The attorney, who ran a foreclosure “rescue” service, was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in federal prison today for deliberately dodging his tax obligations, according to Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.
The scheme, presented as a lifeline to homeowners facing the crushing weight of foreclosure, apparently didn’t extend to Alia keeping his own finances in order. Between 2010 and 2013, while allegedly helping others navigate financial ruin, Alia willfully failed to file federal income tax returns. The government alleges he pulled in a gross income of approximately $1.6 million during those years.
The indictment – an Information, specifically – laid out four counts of failing to file, resulting in a tax loss of $127,037 to the Internal Revenue Service. Judge Paul Diamond, presiding over the sentencing, didn’t appear impressed with Alia’s attempts at self-representation or any sob stories. The judge clearly saw through the facade of a ‘rescuer’ who couldn’t rescue his own tax compliance.
“This isn’t about a simple oversight,” sources within the courtroom relayed. “This was a calculated effort to avoid paying what he owed. He profited from people at their most vulnerable, and then tried to cheat the system himself.” The court’s decision sends a clear message: even those who prey on financial hardship aren’t above the law.
Beyond the prison sentence, Judge Diamond ordered Alia to pay full restitution to the IRS for the $127,037 tax loss. That payment won’t come until after he’s served his time, a detail that underscores the seriousness of the offense. The Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation, highlighting their continued focus on tax fraud.
Assistant United States Attorney Floyd J. Miller prosecuted the case, successfully demonstrating a pattern of deliberate tax evasion. Alia’s fall from grace serves as a grim reminder that even those in positions of trust – especially those handling other people’s money – will be held accountable for their financial misdeeds. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.
Related Federal Cases
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- Plea Deal for Philly Farmer: Metropolis Farms Founder Faces 20 Years for Wire Fraud, Tax Evasion · Pennsylvania
- Philly Man Gets 3 Years for $2M ERC Tax Scam · Delaware
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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