Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
Recently, a 55-year-old Dearborn Heights woman was sentenced to one year and a day, along with more than $225,000 in restitution for willfully filing false tax returns with the IRS, according to a press release issued recently by United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade. Joining in the announcement was IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office, Jarod J. Koopman.
According to the press release, Janey Golani was employed as an office manager of several companies owned by Latif “Randy” and Hind Oram. Golani embezzled from the Orams in an amount reaching almost $700,000 over a time period beginning in 2005 and ending in 2009. She admitted she intentionally did not report the money she embezzled from her employer as income, although she knew the money was taxable income and was to be reported on her income tax returns. She pleaded guilty to the charges against her in August of 2014.
Golani’s failure to report the income she obtained for her own personal use through embezzlement lowered her tax liability by more than $77,000 for the year 2008, according to the release. In all, the government experienced a tax loss in excess of $225,000 because of Golani’s failure to report the embezzled money on federal income tax returns for the years 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009.
Special Agent in Charge Koopman said of the case, “The Internal Revenue Tax Code is clear; income that is derived from illegal sources is subject to income tax. Ms. Golani stole from her employer and filed false tax returns, both serious crimes for which she is being held accountable.”
Filing false tax returns and embezzling are both extremely serious charges. Referred to as white collar crimes, these offenses may leave those accused facing a substantial number of years in prison, along with fines, restitution, and a permanent criminal record. In addition, career professionals may lose their professional license for a conviction. Investigating these types of crimes is often complex, as there are mountains of paperwork and a long paper trail to unravel in order to come to the truth.
Anyone who is under investigation for embezzling or any financial crime should consult with a skilled Michigan white collar crimes defense attorney. Without a capable lawyer on your side, your freedom, legal rights, and reputation may be at risk.