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Press Release

Florida Mortgage Loan Officer Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion

For Immediate Release
Office of Public Affairs

A Florida man pleaded guilty today to evading his federal income taxes.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2015 and 2018, Jeffrey Donaldson of Orlando worked as a loan officer for two mortgage companies and made over $750,000 in wages. He submitted to each of his employers false employee withholding certificates (Forms W-4) claiming that he was exempt from any federal income tax withholding. During that same period, Donaldson willfully did not file personal tax returns even though he earned enough income requiring him to do so. As a result, Donaldson caused a tax loss to the IRS of over $150,000.

Donaldson will be sentenced at a later date and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Brian Payne of IRS-Criminal Investigation Tampa Field Office made the announcement.

IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Isaiah Boyd and Brian Flanagan of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Terry Livanos for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case.

Updated May 25, 2023

Topic
Tax
Press Release Number: 23-604