Malden Man Indicted For Tax Crimes

BOSTON – A Malden man was charged today with a number of tax crimes stemming from him filing tax returns in the name of a dead relative.

Mark R. Fisette, 53, was indicted for tax evasion and four counts of filing false tax documents. The indictment alleges that Fisette worked as a freelance photographer for various weekly and daily newspapers, and had not timely filed or paid his income taxes. When state and federal taxing authorities began collection efforts, including seizing a paycheck, Fisette provided the newspaper distributor with the name and Social Security number of a deceased relative for future payments for Fisette’s photography services. It is also alleged that Fisette filed false income tax returns and a false financial statement which did not report the income he received in the dead relative’s name.

If convicted, Fisette faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and three years of supervised release on the charge of tax evasion, and three years in prison and one year of supervised release for the charge of filing false tax documents. Both carry a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gain or loss, whichever is greater.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and John J. Collins, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Sandra S. Bower of Ortiz’s Economic Crimes Unit.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.