Sheri Redekker Barry and Warren Thomas Barry, Tax Evasion, Florida 2009

Fort Myers Real Estate Agents Sentenced to Prison for Tax Crimes

Fort Myers, Fla. – In a shocking turn of events, a married couple and real estate agents, Sheri Redekker Barry and Warren Thomas Barry, have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a tax evasion scheme.

On Monday, U.S. District Court Judge John E. Steele handed down a harsh sentence, ordering Sheri Barry to serve 36 months in prison and Warren Barry to serve 24 months in prison for their crimes.

The Barrys were convicted in March 2009 of conspiracy and failure to file tax returns. According to the indictment, Sheri Barry had not filed a tax return since 1988, while Warren Barry had not filed a tax return since 2000.

The couple's scheme involved sending multiple letters to the IRS, claiming false and frivolous tax defier reasons. They also conspired to hide their income and assets from the IRS by buying and selling real estate through nominees and attempting to pay their outstanding tax liabilities with fictitious instruments.

The Barrys were ordered to pay $555,728 in restitution as part of their sentence. The case is a stark reminder of the importance of paying taxes and following the law.

The Justice Department's Tax Division, in conjunction with the IRS, commended the special agents who investigated the case, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Doug Molloy and Tax Division trial attorney Michael Boteler who prosecuted the case.

This is not the first time the Barrys have been involved in a tax-related scandal. In 2004, a federal district judge permanently enjoined American Rights Litigators (ARL) and two of its promoters from selling a nationwide tax scam. In 2008, two promoters of ARL, as well as ARL client Wesley Snipes, were sentenced to prison for tax offenses.

The Barrys' case highlights the importance of tax enforcement efforts and the consequences of failing to comply with tax laws.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/fort-myers-real-estate-agents-sentenced-prison-tax-crimes