Tax Cheat Sentenced to Home Confinement

A Rochester man has been sentenced for his role in a massive tax scheme. John P. Gizzi, 65, was found guilty of filing false tax returns for 2008 and 2009.

According to court documents, Gizzi’s business, Rochester Business Machines Supplier, Inc., was also found to have committed tax crimes. The company was sentenced to pay a fine of $500,000.

Gizzi was sentenced to 1 year of home confinement and 5 years of probation by United States District Judge Frank P. Geraci. He was also ordered to pay a $15,000 fine.

The court noted that Gizzi and his business had paid the United States approximately $11.5 million in back taxes, fraud penalties, interest, fines and forfeitures, in this and related tax proceedings.

The court also expressed concern for Gizzi’s health, stating that a sentence including imprisonment could be fatal. Assistant United States Attorney John J. Field stated that Gizzi criminally cheated the United States out of $1,901,633 in federal income taxes over a period of 6 years.

The investigation was led by Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations division, under the direction of Tony Weirauch.

Gizzi’s case is a reminder that tax crimes can have severe consequences. The government will continue to pursue individuals who engage in such activities.