A Florida man named Dan Rotta is facing a Criminal Complaint for alleged tax evasion and hiding foreign assets from the IRS. Rotta, who had dual citizenship in Romania and Brazil, opened Swiss bank accounts under the names of various companies he controlled, starting in the 1980s. He used these accounts to fund his lifestyle in Florida, transferring millions of dollars from offshore accounts to domestic ones. Rotta went to great lengths to conceal his ownership of these accounts, even going as far as using nominee owners and false attestations.
In 2011, the IRS began auditing Rotta based on information obtained through a deferred prosecution agreement with UBS. Despite being aware of the audit, Rotta continued to receive funds from offshore accounts through various means, including using nominee owners and attorney trust accounts. Rotta repeatedly denied having foreign accounts or investments during IRS interviews, even as the agency uncovered evidence to the contrary.
Rotta’s attempts to distance himself from offshore accounts and make false statements to the IRS led to a Notice of Deficiency for underreporting income by millions of dollars. He engaged a series of attorneys to represent him, submit false documents, and navigate the audit process. Rotta ultimately settled with the IRS for the years 2008-2013, claiming that funds received from offshore accounts were loans, not income.
However, subsequent actions by Rotta, including fund transfers and attempts to evade tax obligations, raised suspicion. Rotta eventually made a voluntary disclosure to the IRS, admitting to ownership of offshore accounts since the 1990s but claiming most assets were inherited. Further investigation revealed inconsistencies in Rotta’s claims and actions, potentially leading to criminal charges for tax evasion, fraud, and money laundering for him and his accomplices.
The case highlights the risks and consequences of hiding money in offshore accounts, as well as the potential criminal liability faced by those who assist in such schemes. Rotta’s actions, from setting up intricate structures to conceal ownership to engaging attorneys in money laundering, illustrate the complexity and legal pitfalls of offshore tax evasion. The involvement of multiple parties, including banks, trust companies, and attorneys, could lead to a broader investigation and prosecution of accomplices in the scheme.
Despite the perceived secrecy of offshore accounts, the reality is that someone always knows about them. Service providers, banks, and employees may have information that can be used against tax evaders in the future. The case serves as a cautionary tale about the risks and consequences of attempting to hide money abroad and the potential legal ramifications for those involved in offshore tax evasion schemes. Ultimately, the case may be just the beginning of a broader investigation into offshore tax evasion and the involvement of multiple parties in such illegal activities.
