Utopia Tax Relief

Philadelphia business owner Henry “Hank” Collins Pleads Guilty in $1 Million Tax Fraud Scheme Involving New Jersey Masonry Company

Federal Charges Filed in Massive IRS Tax Evasion Case

In a major development highlighting ongoing IRS investigations into business tax fraud, a Philadelphia man has admitted to helping a South Jersey masonry company evade nearly $1 million in federal taxes, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.

Henry “Hank” Collins, 53, pleaded guilty on Friday to conspiracy to defraud the IRS, a federal crime that could carry significant prison time. Authorities say Collins played a central role in a long-running scheme to underreport income and hide cash payments while working at Davis Brothers Chimney Sweep & Masonry, a business based in Egg Harbor Township, Atlantic County, New Jersey.

How the New Jersey Business Avoided Paying Federal Taxes
Federal prosecutors allege that over a six-year period, Collins helped the company and its leadership dodge tax responsibilities by manipulating financial records. Specifically, he cashed large amounts of the company's gross receipts through a commercial check-cashing service, bypassing traditional banking systems and leaving little paper trail.

This cash was then used to pay himself, the business owner, the owner’s spouse, and other employees—none of which was reported to the company's accountant. By omitting this income from official tax documents, the business filed fraudulent returns that significantly understated earnings.

Personal Tax Fraud Adds to the Charges
In addition to helping the company commit tax fraud, Collins also failed to report his own cash wages on his personal income tax returns, further deepening the legal consequences.

The names of the business owner and their spouse have not been released, and no charges have been publicly filed against them at this time.

Sentencing Date Set for August
Collins is scheduled for sentencing on August 18, and he could face a combination of fines, restitution, and prison time. The case serves as a reminder of the IRS’s aggressive stance on corporate tax evasion and the growing scrutiny on small-to-medium businesses involved in under-the-table payment schemes.

Philadelphia business owner Henry “Hank” Collins Pleads Guilty in $1 Million Tax Fraud Scheme Involving New Jersey Masonry Company — Utopia Tax Relief Federal Charges Filed in Massive IRS Tax Evasion Case In a major development highlighting ongoing IRS investigations into business tax fraud, a Philadelphia man has admitted to helping a South Jersey masonry company evade nearly $1 million in federal taxes , according to the U.S. Attorney’s Offic

Florida Healthcare Executive Sentenced to Prison for $10M Employment Tax Fraud Scheme

Paul Walczak, the owner of several Florida-based healthcare companies, has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for orchestrating a large-scale employment tax fraud that caused over $10 million in losses to the IRS. In addition to prison time, he received two years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $4.38 million in restitution to the United States government.

Employer Withheld Taxes But Never Paid the IRS
From 2016 to 2019, Walczak controlled a complex network of healthcare companies, including Palm Health Partners and Palm Health Partners Employment Services (PHPES). These companies employed more than 600 individuals and managed an annual payroll exceeding $24 million. As an employer, Walczak was legally obligated to withhold Social Security, Medicare, and federal income taxes from employee paychecks and remit those funds, along with employer tax contributions, to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Instead, Walczak willfully failed to pay over $7.4 million in withheld taxes and an additional $3.4 million in employer payroll taxes, resulting in a total tax loss of $10,912,334.80.

Lavish Lifestyle Funded by Tax Fraud
Rather than fulfilling his tax obligations, Walczak diverted large sums of money from his businesses to support a luxury lifestyle. He used more than $1 million to purchase a yacht, transferred hundreds of thousands to personal bank accounts, and spent lavishly at high-end retailers such as Cartier, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bergdorf Goodman.

Despite multiple warnings and efforts by the IRS to bring him into compliance, including face-to-face meetings and personal tax assessments, Walczak repeatedly ignored his responsibilities. He briefly settled some of his debts in 2014, only to return to fraudulent practices the following year.

Continued Fraud Through a New Business
In 2019, Walczak ceased filing personal tax returns altogether, despite earning a $360,000 salary and receiving over $450,000 in transfers from business accounts. That same year, he launched a new business called NextEra, which he deceptively listed under a family member’s name to obscure his ownership.

Through this new entity, Walczak funneled nearly $1.3 million into accounts held by relatives or used directly for personal expenses such as luxury shopping and recreational activities.

Federal Authorities Crack Down on Employment Tax Evasion
The case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Miami Field Office and prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice Tax Division. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly and IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Emmanuel Gomez emphasized that business owners who misuse employee withholdings will be held accountable.

“Failing to pay employment taxes is not just a paperwork issue — it’s a serious federal crime,” said Gomez. “This case is a reminder that the IRS will aggressively pursue those who cheat the system for personal gain.”

Why This Case Matters
This case highlights the growing federal scrutiny on employment tax compliance, especially in high-liability industries like healthcare. Business owners and financial officers are urged to ensure that payroll taxes are withheld and paid correctly to avoid civil and criminal penalties.

Florida Healthcare Executive Sentenced to Prison for $10M Employment Tax Fraud Scheme — Utopia Tax Relief Florida healthcare tax fraud employment tax evasion payroll tax crimes IRS employment tax investigation Paul Walczak tax fraud employer withheld taxes not paid federal tax restitution case healthcare executive sentenced for tax crime

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Pleads to Tax Crimes

According to court documents and statements made in court, John Comeau, of , was the CEO of Vivid Inc., a company that provided metal coating services across various industries in and elsewhere. From at least the first quarter of 2010 through the end of 2019, Vivid withheld , and income taxes from the wages paid to its employees.

However, Comeau, who was responsible for ensuring those funds were reported and paid to the IRS, did not do so.

In total, Comeau caused a tax loss to the IRS of approximately $1,150,000.

Comeau is scheduled to be sentenced on April 30, 2025. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey for the Northern District of California made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Mahana Weidler of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ilham Hosseini for the Northern District of California are prosecuting the case.

California CEO Pleads Guilty to Employment Tax Crimes A California man pleaded guilty today to not paying employment taxes to the IRS.

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sentenced to 24 months in prison for evading his personal and employment taxes.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Brandon Aumiller, of Milroy, owned an insurance sales business. For tax years 2007 and 2009 through 2011, Aumiller filed personal income tax returns reporting that he owed taxes, but did not pay them. He also filed employment tax returns for his business reporting that it owed taxes for the third quarter of 2013 and the first two quarters of 2014, but did not pay those taxes either.

When the IRS sought to collect the taxes Aumiller admitted he owed, Aumiller engaged in a multi-year scheme to thwart the IRS’ efforts by concealing his assets in nominee bank accounts, structuring multiple real estate deals to conceal the transactions from the IRS and submitting false financial disclosure forms to the IRS that did not fully disclose his bank accounts and his real estate assets.

In total, Aumiller caused a tax loss to the IRS of $478,270.

In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Christopher C. Conner ordered Aumiller to serve three years of supervised release and to pay approximately $180,000 in restitution to the United States.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam for the Middle District of Pennsylvania made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Matthew L. Cofer of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur for the Middle District of Pennsylvania prosecuted the case.

Pennsylvania Business Owner Sentenced for Tax Evasion A Pennsylvania man was sentenced to 24 months in prison for evading his personal and employment taxes.