Attorney Admits Filing False Tax Returns

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TIMOTHY G. GRIFFIN, 54, of Ridgefield, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport to one count of filing a false tax return.

According to court documents and statements made in court, GRIFFIN practiced law in Bronxville, New York, and his clients paid him for his legal services.  In 2006, the Internal Revenue Service sent letters to GRIFFIN about his having not filed income tax returns for 2002, 2003, and 2004 tax years.  In response to the IRS inquiry, GRIFFIN prepared and submitted fraudulent individual income tax returns for the 2003 and 2004 tax years. The 2003 return reported business income of $77,713, gross receipts from the law practice of $225,825, a net profit of $32,200, and a total tax of $10,981. The 2004 return reported business income of $67,983, gross receipts from the law practice of $234,894, a net profit of $39,767, and a total tax of $9,606.  A subsequent criminal investigation determined that GRIFFIN did not report on these two tax returns approximately $498,934 in additional gross receipts from his law practice, resulting in additional tax due of $136,844.

GRIFFIN is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill on December 23, 2014, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of three years and a fine of up to $250,000.   GRIFFIN also has agreed to make restitution to the U.S. Department of Treasury in the total amount of $153,807 – which includes $136,844 for the 2003 and 2004 tax years and $16,963 for the 2005 and 2006 tax years – plus applicable penalties and interest. 

This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Jongbloed.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov