Suburban Chicago Man Gets Federal Prison for Tax Fraud

CHICAGO — A year in federal prison for making false claims on personal tax returns. That’s the sentence handed down to 32-year-old NIKKO D’AMBROSIO of Des Plaines, Ill., for overstating business expenses and charitable contributions on his 2019 and 2020 tax returns.

A federal jury found D’Ambrosio guilty of making false statements on his tax returns, claiming more than 474,000 miles of business-related travel and over $263,000 in business-related meal expenses. He also falsified charitable contributions of over $63,000 to a Catholic church in Chicago, claiming he was a parishioner when he wasn’t.

Financial records presented at trial revealed the mileage and meal expenses were wildly inflated, and a church representative testified that D’Ambrosio made no donations in those years. The conviction was the result of a joint investigation by the IRS and FBI, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s office.

U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Durkin imposed the sentence, a year and a day in federal prison, during a hearing in Chicago federal court. The sentence was welcomed by Morris Pasqual, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, who said, “We will continue to crack down on those who abuse the tax system.”

The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard M. Rothblatt and Brandon D. Stone. The case is a reminder that tax fraud will not be tolerated, and those who engage in it will face serious consequences.

The sentence is a stark reminder of the consequences of making false claims on tax returns. As the government continues to crack down on tax fraud, it’s essential for individuals to understand the importance of accuracy and honesty when filing their taxes.