Have you heard that the federal government has been ramping up IRS enforcement actions? If so, then you’d be right. Not only is the IRS starting to crack down on tax fraud, but the justice department is also in line with the IRS in seeking out criminal charges and prosecuting individuals accused of this serious financial crime.

Just this month, the New York Attorney General announced that two collision repair shops located in Nassau County have been shut down as a result of the owner’s, Jose Cardona’s, actions. Cardona, a 45-year-old resident of Oceanside, owned and operated both No Limit Auto Body and Henry Street Auto Body. According to court records, Cardona’s business had been collecting sales taxes for years. Between 2010 and November 2015, Cardona collected an overwhelming $700,000. This money should’ve been remitted to New York State, but Cardona failed to do so.

As a result, he was charged with felony tax fraud. After a lengthy investigation, Cardona was found guilty. He was recently sentenced to six months in jail. Once he serves out that sentence, he will be expected to serve out at least five years of probation.

Cardona wasn’t the only person implicated in his business’s schemes, either. Court documents show that his wife, Veronica Cardona, has also been found guilty of a misdemeanor false filing charge. His wife is suspected of filing a fraudulent personal income tax return. These false returns were reportedly filed from 2010 to 2015. It’s estimated that the duo defrauded the government (and other taxpayers) out of about $204,000 as a result of these fraudulent returns.

What’s more, it was also discovered that an employee of one of Cardona’s shops was also implicated in a felony insurance fraud scheme. He had been adding additional damages to cars brought into the shop so that he could bill for unnecessary repairs and keep the difference.

How Did Cardona Secure a Favorable Legal Outcome?

Are you curious as to how Cardona was able to get such a relatively minor sentence as a result of such substantial tax fraud? Media reports revealed that Cardona worked very hard to show to the courts that he was remorseful over his actions. He reportedly already made an effort to pay New York State some of the back sales taxes that he owes. In fact, he has already paid an overwhelming $700,000 in restitution to the Tax Department.

It’s very likely that this action helped secure more favorable legal outcomes for himself, his wife, and his employee.

Are you currently facing a pretty serious legal situation? Are you wondering how to potentially secure a more favorable legal outcome, too? If so, then your best bet is to contact a criminal defense attorney about your situation. A quality attorney will help you better understand your charges, the potential defense strategies available to you, and any actions you can take before your hearing to show your remorse.

Contact our office now to get in touch with one of our best criminal defense attorneys about your situation.