Lawyer Convicted of tax Evasion And obstruction
PHILADELPHIA - Charles M. Naselsky, 52, of Philadelphia, was convicted today in a tax evasion scheme committed while he worked as an attorney specializing in real estate transactional law. Naselsky’s scheme also defrauded his employer, the law firm of Cozen O’Connor. Naselsky was convicted of two counts of tax evasion, two counts of filing false tax returns, three counts of wire fraud, and two counts of obstruction of justice.
Naselsky instructed some of his clients to pay him directly for professional services, despite knowing that the payments belonged entirely to the firm. He then hid that income from the IRS in order to avoid paying taxes on it and filed false income tax returns. When he became aware that he was being investigated by the IRS for tax offenses, he obstructed the investigation
by fabricating evidence, including emails, that claimed the monies were loans from a company called U.S. Equity Investors LLC (USE).
In total, Naselsky had taxes due and owing of approximately $112,000 for failing to report $365,000 in income for the years 2005 and 2006.
Naselsky faces an advisory sentencing guideline range of 46 to 71 months in prison, restitution to the IRS, and possible fines when sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Paul S. Diamond. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carrillo and Tiwana L. Wright with Department of Justice Tax Division.
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525
