A mortgage loan officer in Florida admitted last week to evading federal income taxes on more than three-quarters of a million dollars in income.
Orlando-based Jeffrey Donaldson earned more than $750,000 between 2015 and 2018 as a loan originator for Movement Mortgage, LLC and as a branch manager for CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC. DOJ press release.
Donaldson submitted false withholding certificates to two employers, saying he was exempt from paying any federal income tax withholding. During that time, Donaldson failed to file income tax returns, resulting in more than $150,000 in lost tax revenue to the IRS.
Donaldson’s sentence has yet to be determined, but he faces up to five years in prison, as well as a period of supervised release, restitution and a fine.
Sometimes real estate professionals are tempted to avoid paying Uncle Sam.
In October 2022, Michigan-based real estate developer Scott Chappelle, an attorney and former CPA, was sentenced to 38 months in prison for tax evasion, Lansing State Journal Report.
Chapelle spent money on plastic surgery, a house on a lake, various cars, a 62-foot McKinna Express yacht — all while telling the IRS he was broke.
In addition to serving time, U.S. District Judge Jane Beckering ordered Chappelle to pay $1.2 million in restitution and serve three years in prison. He was also fined $150,000, according to the outlet.
Meanwhile, American reality show star married couple Todd and Julie Chrisley”chrisley knows bestSentenced to 12 and 7 years in federal prison for fraud and tax evasion, The Washington Post ReportThe nearly three-week trial in Atlanta examined evidence that the couple defrauded community banks of more than $30 million in loans over the years and evaded federal income taxes.
