Former Atkinson Man Sentenced For Tax Evasion Stemming From Wire Fraud Scheme

            CONCORD, N.H. – William M. Richmond, 60, formerly of Atkinson, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for tax evasion, reports United States Attorney Emily Gray Rice.

            In 2006 through 2008 Richmond failed to report and pay taxes on more than $743,000 he stole through a wire fraud scheme.  From about May 18, 2005, through about April 2009, Richmond held a durable power of attorney for Richard Piller. The power of attorney gave Richmond unrestricted access to Piller’s finances. Richmond was supposed to manage Piller’s personal and business affairs while Piller and his then-wife, Joan Ettelson, were out of the country for extended periods. Richmond used the power of attorney to commit a wire fraud scheme through which he stole more than $743,000 from Piller and Ettelson. Richmond failed to disclose that criminally derived income on his tax returns for 2006, 2007, and 2008, and he failed to list the substantial additional taxes he owed for each year based on that income. Instead, Richmond falsely claimed that his only income was taxable interest and that he owed no taxes for each of the three years.

            Richmond pleaded guilty to three counts of tax evasion on July 17, 2015.

            In addition to a two-year prison sentence, Richmond was ordered to pay $743,171.59 in restitution to Piller and Ettelson.

            This case was investigated by special agents of the FBI and the IRS – Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark S. Zuckerman.

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