Doctor Pleads Guilty To Obstructing The IRS

A medical doctor pleaded guilty to corruptly obstructing the due administration of the internal revenue laws yesterday, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina Matthew G.T. Martin.

According to court documents, Dr. Joseph Jacob Hummel purchased the home of an acquaintance, only to be repaid for the purchase a short time later.  When Special Agents with Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS) interviewed Dr. Hummel about this real estate transaction, he falsely stated that he rented the property to the original owner and then sent the agents a sham lease, supporting this statement.  

Hummel faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison.  He also faces a period of supervised release and monetary penalties. Sentencing is scheduled for March 26, 2019.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and United States Attorney Martin thanked special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorney Kevin Schneider of the Tax Division and Assistant United States Attorney Frank Chut, who are prosecuting the case.