Rochester Man Pleads Guilty To Tax Violation

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

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Robert Fitzgerald, of Rochester, NY pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to failing to collect and pay over payroll taxes to the Internal Revenue Service.  The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard A. Resnick, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant was the principal corporate officer of Fitzgerald Coaching Inc., a Western New York real estate listings referral company. Fitzgerald was required to collect and pay over Social Security and Medicare taxes to the Internal Revenue Service on behalf of the company. During the years 2010 through 2017, Fitzgerald Coaching Inc. failed to report wages that were subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes totaling $55,487.65. The employer portion of the Social Security and Medicare taxes not paid to the IRS was $66,720.11. The total due to the IRS for both employee and employer Social Security and Medicare taxes is $122,207.16.

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

Sentencing is scheduled for January 12, 2020, at 2:30 p.m. before Judge Geraci. 

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