PORT HURON ATTORNEY PLEADS GUILTY TO TAX EVASION
David Black, 49, owner of Black, Black and Black, a law firm in Port Huron, Michigan, pleaded guilty yesterday to tax evasion, announced United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade.
McQuade was joined in the announcement by Erick Martinez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation.
According to court records, during the 2004 tax year, Black diverted income from his law firm by using checks made out to him, his wife or other businesses to pay for his personal expenses. Black also took business cash payments and diverted it for his personal gain. Black failed to deliver all the records of these diversions to his accountant which would have enabled the accountant to prepare a complete and accurate personal tax return. On his 2004 tax return, Black claimed gross income of only $319,866, when in reality, the gross income amount was over $1 million, causing a tax loss of over $270,000 to the Internal Revenue Service.
The maximum sentence for tax evasion is 5 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
Black is scheduled to be sentenced on August 4, 2011 at 1:00 pm in front of United States District Court Chief Judge Gerald E. Rosen.
"No one is above the law," said Special Agent in Charge Erick Martinez. "Those Americans who file accurate, honest and timely returns can be assured that the government will hold accountable those who don't."
The case was investigated by special agents of the IRS Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald W. Waterstreet.
