Former Rochester Bakery Owner Sentenced On Tax Charges

CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that William Cruz, 54, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of subscribing false tax returns, was sentenced to serve two years of probation and perform 100 hours of community service by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The defendant was also ordered to pay $365,840 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service, as well as penalties and interest. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who handled the case, stated that Cruz operated the Borinquen Bakery in Rochester from approximately 2005 through 2018.  From at least 2012 through 2017, the defendant hid more than $1,000,000 in income from the IRS by underreporting the bakery’s revenues.  This resulted in an aggregate tax loss to the IRS of at least $365,840.00. 

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Jonathan Larsen, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Field Office.

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