Tax Preparer Wayne Lieberman Faces Federal Charges

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Wayne R. Lieberman, a local tax preparer, finds himself facing the federal gauntlet after being indicted by a Pittsburgh grand jury for a litany of financial chicanery. The U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton dropped the hammer today, charging Lieberman with filing false income tax returns, submitting false writings to the government, and making a false statement to a governmental agency.

The four-count indictment paints a picture of alleged deceit over two years, as Lieberman is accused of faking his own personal income tax returns for 2007 and 2008. The kicker? He’s also accused of spinning webs around his clients’ returns while operating under the guise of a Tax Return Preparer.

These aren’t mere bookkeeping errors; they’re serious allegations with severe penalties. If convicted, Lieberman could face up to 16 years behind bars and a $100,000 fine—a heavy price for what might seem like small-time thievery in the grand scheme of things. But under federal law, the sentence is dictated by the severity of the offenses and any prior criminal history.

The government has assembled its A-team to take down this financial rogue, with Assistant United States Attorney James Y. Garrett leading the charge. The Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation division, spearheaded by Special Agents Robert Kickbush and Rob Lasich, TIG/TA, has been on the case, piecing together the evidence that led to Lieberman’s indictment.

It’s worth noting that an indictment is just a charge, not proof of guilt. Until proven otherwise in court, Wayne R. Lieberman is innocent of these charges.