Tax Preparer And Evader Is Sentenced

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that KENNETH ZITO, 51, of Wethersfield, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to three years of probation, the first 10 months of which ZITO must serve in home confinement, for evading the payment of taxes on more than $200,000 in income.  ZITO also was ordered to pay a fine of $6,350 and to perform 300 hours of community service.

According to court documents and statements made in court, ZITO worked at Daniel Zito Financial Services, a South Windsor commercial financial services firm owned by ZITO’s father, where ZITO prepared tax returns for individuals and businesses.  Although ZITO and his father worked together, they submitted client tax returns separately.  Between 2007 and 2009, ZITO cashed checks he received from clients as payment for his services, but did not deposit the checks or declare them on his federal income tax return.  As a result, ZITO did not report $219,759.32 in income during that three-year period, and failed to pay $59,621 in federal income tax.

Prior to his sentencing, ZITO paid $124,241 in back taxes, interest and penalties.

On March 18, 2014, ZITO pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion.

This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Sheldon.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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