Pittsburgh Jeweler Sentenced For Evading Federal Currency Reporting Requirements

PITTSBURGH - A Pittsburgh resident has been sentenced in federal court to three years of probation, six months home confinement, and 100 hours of community service, on his conviction of failing to file a report of currency received by a non-financial business, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Efraim Tuti, 42.

According to information presented to the court, Tuti, who was engaged in the jewelry business known as 2T Jewelers on Fifth Avenue in Pittsburgh, for the purpose of evading federal reporting requirements, failed to file an Internal Revenue Service Form 8300, Report of Cash Payments Over $10,000 Received in a Trade or Business, following the receipt of approximately $11,000 in currency as partial payment for a diamond ring purchased by an undercover IRS agent for a total of $22,000. Tuti acknowledged during the plea hearing that he also sold a $13,000 pair of earrings to the undercover agent, after which he failed to file the IRS Form 8300, as required. On Feb. 22, 2013, $125,070 was seized by the IRS during the execution of a search warrant at 2T Jewelers. Tuti agreed to forfeit the money to the United States as part of his entry of a guilty plea.

Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation for the investigation leading to the prosecution of Tuti.