After 32 years of IRS work — and more than $100 million in resolved tax debt — I've seen just about every version of the problem you're dealing with. I'm Darrin Mish, a tax attorney in Tampa. Here's what you should know.
If you are an IRS agent, or anyone, the last thing you want to do is try and run a bribery scam on anyone.
An IRS agent was caught in the act of trying to bribe the owner of a marijuana shop to pay him $20,000 for a little leniency on a tax audit. The agent arrested was Paul Hurley. The owner stated he had no desire to receive a break on his taxes. He notified the authorities who hatched a sting operation to catch Hurley in the act of receiving the bribe money.
The shop owner met with Hurley on several times to hash out the details of the deal. The shop owner had a wire each time they met at Starbucks. They were both followed by undercover officers.
The IRS agent threated the shop owner with a mega tax bill. The agent is currently facing 15 years in prison.
Check out more IRS News stories by clicking that link.