A resident of Matawan has been charged with tax evasion, corrupt interference with the administration of the internal revenue laws and failure to file federal tax returns, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Thomas Bertoli, 62, is charged by indictment with three counts of tax evasion, one count of corrupt interference with the administration of the internal revenue laws, and four counts of failure to file tax returns. He will be arraigned at a later date, according to a press release that was issued on June 23.
According to the indictment, Bertoli operated the following businesses: The Doormen Inc.; City Street Associates LLC, (also known as CSA LLC); and Urban Logistics LLC.
Individually and through his companies, Bertoli obtained payments from clients for services provided, including payments from developers and construction firms for expediting services on real estate development and construction projects, primarily in Jersey City; and payments from political campaigns for political consulting services in New Jersey.
Expediting in the construction industry typically refers to facilitating the acquisition of building permits and other government agency approvals required for the completion of real estate projects.
According to the indictment, Bertoli obtained hundreds of thousands of dollars in gross receipts for calendar years 2009 to 2016. Bertoli had not, as of April 18, 2017, filed federal tax returns or paid any of the taxes due, other than a $5,000 nominal payment in September 2014, for those years, despite receiving substantial gross receipts and having a substantial tax due and owing.
He allegedly concealed and attempted to conceal from the Internal Revenue Service his income and assets through various means; made false and fraudulent statements to the IRS; and used the Urban Logistics bank account for personal expenditures.
Bertoli is charged with evasion of payment of taxes for calendar years 2009 to 2013 and evasion of assessment of taxes for calendar years 2014 and 2015. He is also charged with corrupt interference with the administration of the internal revenue laws and failing to file tax returns for calendar years 2013 to 2016.
Each charge of tax evasion carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine.
The charge of corrupt interference with the administration of the internal revenue laws carries a maximum potential penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Each charge of failing to file a tax return carries a maximum potential penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine, according to the press release.
