United States Attorney David Capp

Northern District of Indiana

5400 Federal Plaza, Suite 1500

Hammond, Indiana  46320

Hammond                                                      South Bend                                           Fort Wayne
 
 

 


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         CONTACT: Mary Hatton

April 16, 2012                                                                                     PHONE: (219) 937-5603

www.usdoj.gov/usao/inn/                                                                                                  FAX (219) 852-2770

 

 

TITLE COMPANY EMPLOYEE INDICTED IN TAX FRAUD SCHEME

 

 

                Hammond, Indiana- An accountant formerly employed by Ticor Title Insurance Company, located in Crown Point, Indiana, was charged in an indictment returned on April 11, 2012 and unsealed today with seven counts of  embezzlement from an insurer and four counts of making and subscribing a false tax return, United States Attorney David Capp announced today.

 

            Laurie Brezinski, 42, of Schererville, Indiana, is charged with embezzlement of approximately $178,900 from Ticor Title Insurance Company by a series of seven checks written from August 2003 to October 2008; and filing false income tax returns in that Brezinski did not report income or benefit from the embezzled funds between tax years of 2005 and 2008.

 

             “As taxpayers are preparing to meet their tax deadline tomorrow, we encourage them to think of the serious consequences, including potential criminal prosecution, for willfully presenting false information on their federal tax returns” stated Al Patton, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation Division, Chicago Field Office.  “All taxpayers must honor their civic and legal obligation to report all of their income and pay all of the taxes they owe.”

 

            Brezinski had her initial appearance today at 2:30 PM before Magistrate Judge Andrew Rodovich.  She was released on a $20,000 unsecured bond and is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday, April 25 at 1:30.

 

These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service. This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jacqueline Jacobs.

 

 

The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that an Indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

 

If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

 

 

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