Westchester DA: Eastchester Tax Preparer Stole $47,000 from Client

Eastchester resident Louis Ciampanelli, 60, was arraigned Thursday on felony larceny and tax fraud charges in connection with a scheme where he allegedly stole $47,000 from one of his clients, money that was supposed to pay the client’s taxes.

According toWestchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore, Ciampanelli prepared tax documents for John Nardini Construction, Inc. from late 2010 to early 2012. During that time, Ciampanelli is alleged to have instructed the owners to make out tax payment checks to him or his firm, LMC Tax Consultants, instead of to the IRS or the state tax department. He told them he would pay the taxes for them, but he never did, according to DiFiore.

Ciampanelli is alleged to have stolen a total of $47,000 from the construction company.

“While this defendant allegedly held himself out to be a tax preparer, stealing clients money rightfully destined for the IRS and the New York State Tax Department, he also, over a number of years, failed to file and pay his own taxes.,” said DiFiore in a statement. “When an individual doesn’t pay one’s taxes it impacts all of us, as the burden becomes greater on those of us who do.”

Bail for Ciampanelli was continued at $5,000 cash/$15,000 bond, and the case was adjourned to May 20.

Below is the full press release from DiFiore about the case:

Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore and New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Incoming Commissioner Kenneth Adams announced today that Louis Ciampanelli (DOB 02/17/55) of 1 Nelson Road, Eastchester, New York, was arraigned on an indictment charging him with:

• one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class “D” Felony,
• two counts of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fourth Degree, class “E” Felonies.

“While this defendant allegedly held himself out to be a tax preparer, stealing clients money rightfully destined for the IRS and the New York State Tax Department, he also, over a number of years, failed to file and pay his own taxes. When an individual doesn’t pay one’s taxes it impacts all of us, as the burden becomes greater on those of us who do,” said District Attorney Janet DiFiore.

“More than 70% of all New Yorkers use a paid professional to complete and file their income tax returns,” said incoming Commissioner Adams. “We will continue to work with law enforcement of all levels to uncover unscrupulous preparers and hold them accountable for their crimes.”

Between December 14, 2010 and February 13, 2012, the defendant provided personal and business accounting and tax preparation services to John Nardini Construction, Inc.

According to the owner and his wife, rather then pay the United States Internal Revenue Service or the New York State Tax Department directly, the defendant had instructed them to provide him with checks, made payable to either Louis Ciampanelli or LMC Tax Consultants.

Ciampanelli told the victims that he would then, in turn, make the payments on their behalf to the taxing agencies.

The defendant never paid the taxing authorities for either their personal taxes or the businesses taxes. The funds were converted for his own use.

The amount of the larceny is approximately $47,000.

The defendant was arrested by investigators from the District Attorneys Office.

Bail was continued at $5,000 cash/$15,000 bond.

The case was adjourned to May 20th, 2015.

The defendant faces a maximum sentence of seven years in state prison.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Mayes of the Economic Crimes Bureau is prosecuting the case.

Photo: Louis Ciampanelli. Photo credit: Westchester County District Attorney’s office

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