Baltimore Police Chief Darryl De Sousa Charged With Failing To File Taxes

[Swordsmyth]

Baltimore Police Commissioner Darryl De Sousa acknowledged Thursday that he failed to file federal and state income tax returns for three consecutive years after the Department of Justice (DOJ) slapped him with three misdemeanor counts of failure to file taxes.

In a statement published on Twitter, De Sousa said: “there is no excuse for my failure to fulfill my obligations as a citizen and public official, my only explanation is that I failed to sufficiently prioritize my personal affairs.”
The DOJ charged De Sousa for not filing federal returns for tax years 2013, 2014 and 2015. In his statement, De Sousa did indicate he filed taxes for 2016 and received an extension for 2017.

“Naturally, this is a source of embarrassment for me and I deeply regret any embarrassment it has caused the Police Department and the City of Baltimore. I accept full responsibility,” he added.

My statement: pic.twitter.com/1DCD2v4dFF
— Darryl De Sousa (@Darryl_De_Sousa) May 10, 2018

The Department of Justice said De Sousa could face as much as one year in prison and a $25,000 fine for each of the three counts.

Greg Tucker, a spokesman for Mayor Catherine Pugh, said the mayor expressed confidence in De Sousa following the DOJ announcement of the charges.

“He made a mistake in not filing his taxes for the years in question. He is working to resolve this matter and has assured me that he will do so as quickly as possible,” Pugh said in a statement.

Pugh said she has “full confidence” in De Sousa and believes that “he will continue to focus on our number one priority of reducing violence.”
According to The Baltimore Sun, “De Sousa earned $93,104 in 2013 when he is first accused of failing to file taxes. He earned $101,985 in 2014 and $127,089 in 2015.” In 2018, he could be earning as much as $210,000 per year, as he was recently promoted to commissioner.
Official DOJ Charging Document: Baltimore Police Chief Darryl De Sousa charged with failure to file taxes

The Baltimore Sun said De Sousa became Baltimore’s top cop in January, after Mayor Pugh fired ex-Commissioner Kevin Davis, citing a surge of violent crime after the 2015 Baltimore Riots.
De Sousa expressed himself as “a chess player,” but as we have found out — the DOJ had the winning piece with a checkmate.

More at: https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-...ing-file-taxes

[Weston White]

An individual should not never be charged with failure to file when the SSA/IRS has already been provided all of their information by their employer and withholding has been ongoing... This is yet another example of gross DOJ incompetence, misapplying criminal tax statutes in order to extort from the public through unwarranted fear tactics. The IRS should simply provide them notice of their assessed taxes if nothing has been filed by the deadline, and provide them a reasonable period of time to contest the assessment before either being mailed a refund or demand of payment by the IRS, and then still being afforded the right to subsequently amend that determination. Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy.

[Swordsmyth]

An individual should not never be charged with failure to file when the SSA/IRS has already been provided all of their information by their employer and withholding has been ongoing... This is yet another example of gross DOJ incompetence, misapplying criminal tax statutes in order to extort from the public through unwarranted fear tactics. The IRS should simply provide them notice of their assessed taxes if nothing has been filed by the deadline, and provide them a reasonable period of time to contest the assessment before either being mailed a refund or demand of payment by the IRS, and then still being afforded the right to subsequently amend that determination. Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy.

But was he making money on the side?
If so was it through illicit activities?
I despise the income tax but the law is that you have to report and pay taxes on all your income whether or not your employer is withholding your known salary.
In the case of a police chief it is extremely likely that he has been caught taking payoffs that he didn't report because they were illegal.

[Weston White]

But was he making money on the side?
If so was it through illicit activities?
I despise the income tax but the law is that you have to report and pay taxes on all your income whether or not your employer is withholding your known salary.
In the case of a police chief it is extremely likely that he has been caught taking payoffs that he didn't report because they were illegal.

That would be a charge pertaining to a failure to report income as opposed to failure to file an income tax return (e.g., sort of the distinction between Snipes and Schiff's charges.)

Also, there are actually federal tax statutes that permit for any taxpayer to request for the IRS to assess their taxes for them, which are very detailed in the Fed. Regulations, same as for establishing a claim for refund, etc.

And to note, if he was making money on the side that too would most likely have already been reported to the IRS as most places do so, such as when banking transactions, investments, professional contractors, etc. And there is no justification to much such presumptions or to believe somebody has illicitly gained or profited monies throughout the year.

[Swordsmyth]

That would be a charge pertaining to a failure to report income as opposed to failure to file an income tax return.

Also, there are actually federal tax statutes that permit for any taxpayer to request for the IRS to assess their taxes for them, which are very detailed in the Fed. Regulations, same as for establishing a claim for refund, etc.

He may not have filed as part of an attempt to not report illegal income, this charge may only be the beginning of the case against him.
Something is going on, he filed in years before and after the years in question and he makes more than enough money to hire an accountant if he is too busy or forgetful to file on his own

[Weston White]

He may not have filed as part of an attempt to not report illegal income, this charge may only be the beginning of the case against him.
Something is going on, he filed in years before and after the years in question and he makes more than enough money to hire an accountant if he is too busy or forgetful to file on his own

Well, reporting it is not a big issue, you just declare it as an approximate sum on your tax return, you don't need to enumerate the sources--excepting only during an audit--and even then the IRS cannot disclose this information to any other government agency or the public, unless by a court order.

Pro tip: When it comes to filing taxes, using a tax attorney assures attorney-client privilege (i.e., they can tell the IRS to take a hike), while using a CPA or accounts do not (i.e., they have to fully cooperate with the IRS as to most all demands.)

[Swordsmyth]

Well, reporting it is not a big issue, you just declare it as an approximate sum on your tax return, you don't need to enumerate the sources--excepting only during an audit--and even then the IRS cannot disclose this information to any other government agency or the public, unless by a court order.

Then why do so many crime bosses go down on tax charges? They could just report their income without declaring a source and be safe if you are correct.
I don't know enough to say anything for sure but something strange is going on and I expect more charges to come out.

[Weston White]

Then why do so many crime bosses go down on tax charges? They could just report their income without declaring a source and be safe if you are correct.
I don't know enough to say anything for sure but something strange is going on and I expect more charges to come out.

Heh, because most criminals don't want to give away their booty, which is why their criminals--that and they are likely not even familiar with the laws they are violating, such as filing off the serial number to stolen firearms serves no useful purpose, but does get them a much more stiff felony added to their charges when the get caught, for example.

[Swordsmyth]

Heh, because most criminals don't want to give away their booty, which is why their criminals--that and they are likely not even familiar with the laws they are violating, such as filing off the serial number to stolen firearms serves no useful purpose, but does get them a much more stiff felony added to their charges when the get caught, for example.

Perhaps that applies to De Sousa as well.

[Swordsmyth]

Less than a week after the Department of Justice charged Baltimore Police Commissioner Darryl De Sousa with failure to file federal and state income taxes for three consecutive years, Baltimore’s top cop resigned on Tuesday after being suspended last Friday with pay.

“Today I received the resignation of Darryl De Sousa as Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department and have accepted it,” Baltimore Mayor Catherine E. Pugh said in a statement, reprinted below:

“I want to reassure all Baltimoreans that this development in no way alters our strategic efforts to reduce crime by addressing its root causes in our most neglected neighborhoods. This broad-based, grassroots approach – underpinned by the utilization of new crime-fighting technology – is working and will continue to be effective as indicated by the downward trend in violence. The Baltimore Police command staff is fully committed to bringing about the reforms to the practices and culture of the department that we are implementing and which are vital to ensuring the trust and confidence of all our citizens.”
“As mayor, I will not let up in pursuing my top priority of making our City safe and our neighborhoods worthy of the lives of all residents.”

According to Jayne Miller, an investigative reporter for WBAL, the mayor’s office has already started a national search for a new police commissioner, while deputy commissioner, Gary Tuggle serves as Interim-Commissioner.

Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3 President Gene Ryan said in a statement, “The men and women of the Baltimore Police Department are aware of the resignation of Police Commissioner Darryl De Sousa today. We are anxious to put these events behind us and hope that Mayor Pugh can quickly find a suitable replacement. Our members deserve consistency in their leadership; however, as they are all highly trained professional law enforcement personnel, they will stay fully mission focused in the interim.”

More at: https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-...le-taxes-years

[brushfire]

[Swordsmyth]

Former Baltimore Police Commissioner Darryl De Sousa has pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday that "he willfully neglected to file income tax returns and falsely claimed deductions to slash the amount he owed to the Internal Revenue Service," said The Baltimore Sun.

Feds say former Baltimore Commissioner De Sousa falsely claimed 9 withholding deductions; falsely claimed donations to charity; falsely claimed property tax and mortgage deductions; police department made aware of withholding problems in 2015 @wjz #BREAKING pic.twitter.com/IkikFXopgW
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) December 18, 2018

De Sousa, 54, resigned as the city's top cop in May, after failing to file his federal taxes for 2013, 2014 and 2015. He faces up to three years in jail and a $300,000 fine when he is sentenced in late March 2019.

“You do agree you’re guilty of these three offenses?” U.S. District Judge Catherine Blake asked him on Tuesday.
“Yes, your honor,” De Sousa said.

He joined the Baltimore Police Department in 1998, and in January 1999, submitted a W-4 to the city of Baltimore incorrectly claiming nine adjustments for state and federal taxes. This "substantially reduced" the amount of taxes withheld from his salary, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland.

More numbers on Fmr Baltimore Police Commissioner Darryl De Sousa—according to feds, he falsely claimed $42,001 in charitable contributions that he never made. In 2008, he claimed a $10,562 mortgage interest and $4,652 property tax deduction despite not owning a home @wjz pic.twitter.com/1OhoEsHAxQ
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) December 18, 2018

In addition, when he filed his state and federal income taxes for 2008 through 2012, he claimed deductions he was not eligible for. This included "unreimbursed employee expenses when he had no such expenses, mortgage interest deductions and deductions for local property taxes when he did not have a mortgage or own any real property, and business losses when he did not operate any businesses," according to the state's attorney's office.

De Sousa's long history of alleged tax fraud continued through 2011, 2012, and 2014, when he neglected to file tax returns or pay any penalties or interest for filing late. During those years, he did file fraudulent claims for unreimbursed employee expenses and charitable donations, according to the state's attorney's office.
Under his plea agreement, De Sousa must pay the federal government and the state of Maryland a total of $60,645.

More at: https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-...ilty-tax-fraud

[kona]

Pro tip: When it comes to filing taxes, using a tax attorney assures attorney-client privilege (i.e., they can tell the IRS to take a hike), while using a CPA or accounts do not (i.e., they have to fully cooperate with the IRS as to most all demands.)

I've never met a tax attorney who prepares taxes. You're probably talking about three people in the US.

[Weston White]

I've never met a tax attorney who prepares taxes. You're probably talking about three people in the US.

....Yea, that includes their entire staff, paralegals, legal secretaries, etc.

[gaazn]

If you are due a refund and continue to expect a refund every year, do you still need to file? I thought you can only be charged with anything if you owe something to the Treasury Dept.