Archive for August, 2009
A stay of criminal proceedings was requested by the defense for professional golfer Jim Thorpe, who is set to go to trial for failing to pay over $1.5 million in income taxes. Orlando criminal defense attorney Mark L. Horwitz filed the motion on behalf of Thorpe, pointing to an under-representation of blacks and Hispanics on the trial jury.
Jury members are selected from a list of registered voters. Though evenly represented in the list of potential jurors, blacks and Hispanics find themselves underrepresented by about 35 percent after the list has been trimmed to designate “qualified jurors.”
The motion filed by Horwitz points to a “pattern of unfair under-representation” of the black and Hispanic communities on trial juries and asks that a stay in the proceedings be granted until a fair and representative jury can be assembled.
Throughout 2008, the IRS placed an increasing amount of pressure on foreign banks servicing American taxpayers in an effort to uncover those individuals keeping unreported, offshore banking accounts. The measures were taken as a result of several instances of fraudulence when certain foreign banks, including TSB Bank and UBS AG Bank, assisted U.S. taxpayers in concealing money from the IRS.
Many U.S. citizens with money in offshore banks worry that the IRS may soon ask for the names of all taxpayers holding offshore assets – even in cases where no fraudulent activity is suspected. Those accused of tax evasion can be prosecuted both federally and locally, and, if convicted, face prison time, fines, penalties and interest on unpaid taxes.
Because of the consequences, it is very important that those accused of tax fraud, or fearing charges, seek the counsel of an experienced attorney. The best attorney will be able to provide specific case advice based on experience, will know the advantages and disadvantages of a specific course of action, and will be able to help the taxpayer fill out paperwork correctly and completely.
Posted in Tax Case | 
Tags: amnesty, international, IRS, offshore accounts, offshore banking accounts, tax fraud | 
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