Blankety-Blank Tax Man Nabs Local Lawyer

From U.S. Attorney David Fein:

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHN BLANK, 62, of Fairfield, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before United States Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford to one count of making and subscribing a false tax return.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2007, BLANK filed a U.S. Individual Income Tax Return for the 2006 tax year that understated his income by approximately $597,000. In pleading guilty, BLANK, an attorney, also admitted that he under reported his income for the 2005 tax year.

BLANK is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Robert N. Chatigny on March 6, 2012, at which time BLANK faces a maximum term of imprisonment of three years and a fine of up to $100,000. BLANK also has agreed to make restitution of at least $470,868.12 to the Internal Revenue Service, which includes back taxes for the 2005 and 2006 tax years, plus interest and penalties.

This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Susan Wines.