Call Now (800) 681-1295
Close

Florida Landscaping Business Owner Indicted on Tax Fraud Charges

Table of Contents

    According to a press release by the Department of Justice, a Florida landscaper was recently indicted and arrested on several charges of tax fraud. According to his indictment, Joseph Ferry III owned and operated Ferry Enterprises, Inc. and served Martin County and Port Saint Lucie, Florida. Ferry Enterprises provided commercial and residential landscaping services for business and local municipalities.

    The indictment alleges that between 2012 and 2016, Ferry used monies paid to Ferry Enterprises’ bank account for services the landscaping firm had performed, for his own personal expenses, including payments on the mortgage of his personal home, the payment of personal loans, the purchase of weapons, and fine jewelry. Finally, the indictment further alleges that Ferry withdrew more than $2.9 million from his business bank account. Ferry was charged with five counts of filing a false corporate income tax return and five counts of filing a false individual income tax return.

    Although it may not immediately be clear to those unfamiliar with tax laws why Ferry’s activity was illegal, using a business’s bank account can lead to serious tax fraud. Ferry’s use of Ferry Enterprises’ bank accounts to pay expenses resulted in deductions being taken on Ferry Enterprises’ federal income tax return for “business expenses” that, in actuality, related to Ferry’s personal obligations. Additionally, Ferry effectively received additional compensation from Ferry Enterprises that he did not account for on his personal income tax return.

    If he is convicted, Ferry may face up to three years in prison for each count of filing a false tax return. Additionally, Ferry also face a term of supervised release after any prison sentence is completed. Finally, Ferry will likely be ordered to pay restitution to the IRS for amounts that he failed to pay as a result of his alleged fraudulent tax activity.

    Understanding When Tax Fraud Could Be Occurring

    When most people think about tax fraud, they don’t think about simply using a small business bank account for personal expenses. Although it is not illegal to do so, it is illegal for a business to take tax deductions for personal expenses that are not ordinary or necessary in the operation of the business. Business deductions made by small and medium-sized businesses are one of the areas of focus a revenue agent from the IRS will hone in on during an audit.

    If you have received notice that you or your business will be subject to an IRS or state tax audit, it is in your best interest to seek the counsel of an experienced tax defense attorney. A tax defense lawyer will be present at any interactions with the IRS or state tax authority to ensure that you do not provide any evidence that may be used against you if the case escalates. Additionally, a tax defense attorney will work with the taxing authority in an attempt to resolve the matter without sacrificing your freedom or financial health.

    Contact an Experienced Tax Attorney Today

    The tax and accounting professionals at the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing have a plethora of experience representing taxpayers from all walks of life on an array of different tax issues. From small to medium-sized business owners to those taxpayers who have not filed tax returns in years, our team of zealous advocates is ready to assist in the development of a strategy that will put your physical and financial freedom at the forefront. Do not let the threat of an IRS audit or criminal investigation cause you to lose sleep. Contact the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing today for a reduced-rate consultation.

    Here is a link to our YouTube channel: click here!

    Also, we’ve expanded our offices! In addition to our offices in Irvine and Los Angeles, the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing now have offices San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Panorama City, Oxnard, San Diego, Bakersfield, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, and Sacramento.

    Note: If you have concerns about the privacy of our initial or subsequent communication and are unable to easily travel to our Irvine / Orange County Main Office, consider scheduling a GoToMeeting to safely and securely establish an initial or maintain an existing attorney client relationship.  With end-to-end encryption, strong passwords and top-rated reliability, no one is messing with your meeting. To schedule a reduced rate initial consultation via GoToMeeting follow this link.   Call our office and request a GoToMeeting if you are an existing client. We are generally happy to travel to any of our appointment only satellite offices for a subsequent meeting in appropriate circumstances once a relationship is established via a signed engagement letter and the payment of an initial retainer or where enough retainer is available where a current client to cover the reasonable travel time and time required for the meeting.

    Will it cost me more to hire the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing, who’s main office and the vast majority of the firm’s staff is located in Irvine California, but an appointment only Satellite office is close to my location, as opposed to a local company?  Absolutely not!  See our policies that address this issue here:

    Questions and Answers for Criminal Tax Representation

    More Commonly Asked Tax Audit Questions

    Tax Help Videos

    Representing Clients from U.S. and International Locations Regarding Federal and California Tax Issues

    tax lawyers

    Main Office

    Orange County
    2601 Main St. Penthouse Suite
    Irvine, CA 92614
    (949) 681-3502

    Our headquarters is located in Irvine, CA. Our beautiful 19,700 office space is staffed full-time and always available for our clients to meet with our highly qualified and experienced staff of Attorneys, Certified Public Accountants and Enrolled Agents. We also offer virtual consultations and can travel to meet with clients in one of our satellite offices.

    Outside of our 4 hour initial consultation option, we do not charge travel time or travel expenses when traveling to one of our Satellite offices, or surrounding business districts, where it is necessary to meet personally with taxing authority personnel, make court appearances, or any in person meeting deemed necessary for the effective representation of a client. To make this as flexible, efficient, and convenient as possible, David W. Klasing is an Instrument Rated Private Pilot and Utilizes the Firms Cirrus SR22 to service client’s in California and in the Southwest by air. Offices outside these areas are serviced via commercial jet airlines. None of these costs are charged to our clients.

    Satellite Offices

    California
    (310) 492-5583
    (760) 338-7035
    (916) 290-6625
    (415) 287-6568
    (909) 991-7557
    (619) 780-2538
    (661) 432-1480
    (818) 935-6098
    (805) 200-4053
    (510) 764-1020
    (408) 643-0573
    (760) 338-7035
    Arizona
    (602) 975-0296
    New Mexico
    (505) 206-5308
    New York
    (332) 224-8515
    Texas
    (512) 828-6646
    Washington, DC
    (202) 918-9329
    Nevada
    (702) 997-6465
    Florida
    (786) 999-8406
    Utah
    (385) 501-5934