Newtown Attorney Pleads Guilty In $3.1 Million Tax Evasion Case

NEWTOWN, CT — A 50-year-old Newtown man pleaded guilty in federal court to offenses related to his failure to file tax returns, according to U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan.

Michael Simes appeared before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport on Monday, and acknowledged failing to pay more than $3.1 million in taxes, penalties, and interest.

Court documents and statements made in court indicate that Simes, an attorney, did not file U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns for the 2013 tax year and from 2016 through 2022.

This resulted in a tax loss to the IRS of $1,876,307 on gross income exceeding $5.6 million. For the tax years 2016 through 2020, Simes requested filing extensions until October of each year, but did not file the returns or pay the taxes he owed.

Additionally, Simes filed tax returns for 2012, 2014, and 2015, but paid only a fraction of the taxes reported as due. This incurred substantial penalties and interest. Simes has agreed to pay restitution for the outstanding balance of $2,871,676.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of failure to file a tax return. Judge Underhill has scheduled sentencing for June 8. Simes faces a maximum prison term of three years. He is currently free on a $40,000 bond pending his sentencing.

The Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, conducted this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser is prosecuting the case.