Episode Description: In Part 2 of our deep dive into the scandalous world of Joe Conforte and Mustang Ranch, we turn the spotlight on IRS agent Kemp Shiffer—the man who relentlessly pursued Conforte for over a decade. But what happens when the enforcer of the law starts breaking it himself? Join Dominique and Tom as they unravel the shocking downfall of the investigator who became too familiar with his target's world and ultimately tried to walk in his shoes.

Last episode, we explored the rise and fall of Joe Conforte, the cunning owner of Nevada's most notorious brothel. This week, the tables turn as we investigate the investigator. Kemp Shiffer’s career was defined by his pursuit of Conforte, but it seems the lines blurred between law and crime. Find out how Shiffer went from IRS agent to a criminal defendant, and how his obsession with Conforte’s empire led him to try his hand in the very business he once sought to shut down.

Key Highlights:

• Recap of Part 1: A brief look back at Joe Conforte's criminal empire, the seizure of Mustang Ranch, and his ultimate escape to Brazil.
• Kemp Shiffer’s Background: Learn about Shiffer’s career trajectory, from his start in criminal justice to his rise as an IRS agent tasked with bringing Conforte down.
• The Battle for Mustang Ranch: Shiffer's dogged determination to dismantle Conforte’s network of enablers, resulting in a 33-count indictment against the brothel boss.
• Breaking Bad: How Kemp Shiffer’s frustration with Conforte's elusiveness and a decade-long obsession led him to go rogue, making threats to local officials and eventually backing a new brothel venture.
• The Ironic Twist: Shiffer’s arrest in 2011 for transporting a woman across state lines for prostitution—the very kind of crime he had spent his career prosecuting.
• Conforte's Memoir: Insights from Conforte’s autobiography that draw parallels between his disdain for pimps and his disdain for paying taxes, with a surprising connection to Shiffer’s downfall.
• The Final Verdict: Shiffer’s guilty plea, his resignation from the IRS, and the consequences of his attempt to "join 'em if you can't beat 'em."

Quotes from the Episode:

• "Joe Conforte was a crook, but he was a brilliant crook. Kemp Shiffer knew this better than anyone, but somewhere along the line, he decided to follow Joe's playbook." — Dom
• "Shiffer went from enforcing the law to breaking it. In a twist of irony, the man who pursued Conforte for tax evasion ended up arrested for pimping." — Tom
• "If you spend long enough in someone’s shadow, maybe you start becoming a little more like them than you’d like to admit." — Dom

Call to Action: Enjoying our deep dives into the murky world of tax crime? Subscribe to "Tax Crime Junkies" and leave us a review! Got a story suggestion? Send it our way. Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes insights and updates on upcoming episodes!

Episode Description: In this riveting episode of Tax Crime Junkies, Dominique and Tom take you on a journey through the scandalous life of Joe Conforte, the mastermind behind Mustang Ranch—America’s first legal brothel. From his humble beginnings in a Sicilian village to building a controversial empire in the Nevada desert, Conforte’s story is a blend of audacity, crime, and cunning.

You’ll learn how Conforte went from hustling sailors in Oakland to navigating the murky waters of legal sex work, bribing officials, and playing cat-and-mouse with the IRS. As Conforte expands his business and fights for legitimacy, he draws the ire of powerful enemies, leading to a series of legal battles and charges of tax evasion.

Discover how Conforte used unconventional tax strategies, including the notorious Sullivan returns, to outmaneuver the IRS—until they finally caught up with him. But in true Conforte fashion, when facing a lengthy prison sentence, he escapes to Brazil, becoming a fugitive and living out his days in exile.

Key Highlights:

• The Early Years: How Conforte’s Sicilian roots and early life in America shaped his entrepreneurial spirit and disdain for authority.
• The Birth of Mustang Ranch: The rise of Conforte’s empire and his relentless quest to legalize prostitution in Nevada.
• IRS vs. Conforte: The intense legal battles and tax evasion charges that brought Conforte under the scrutiny of the IRS.
• The Sullivan Returns: Understanding the controversial tax strategy that allowed Conforte to withhold key details from his tax filings under the Fifth Amendment.
• Downfall and Escape: The dramatic final act where Conforte, facing multiple charges, flees to Brazil and eludes extradition, leaving behind a legacy of crime and controversy.

Quotes from the Episode:

• "He’s a modern-day outlaw, thumbing his nose at the U.S. government from the banks of the Truckee River." — Dom
• "For Conforte, cash was king. Credit cards? Forget about it. They leave a trail—and Joe Conforte always knew to cover his tracks." — Tom
• "The IRS may have caught the Mustang Ranch, but Joe Conforte slipped through their fingers—twice." — Dom

Stay Tuned For Part 2! Just when you think the saga ends with the fall of Mustang Ranch, the plot thickens. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we unravel the downfall of Kemp Shiffer, the IRS investigator who brought Conforte to justice but found himself entangled in a web of his own making. How does the hunter become the hunted? Tune in next time to find out!

Call to Action: Love what you’re hearing? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review! Got a tax crime story you want us to cover? Drop us a line. And follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes content and updates on upcoming episodes!

Recorded Live from The Tax Planning Summit and Reunion 2024 in Detroit

Episode Title: Mom Made Me Do It: The Astonishing Case of Misty Brotherton Tanner

Show Notes:

Welcome to a special live recording of Tax Crime Junkies! In this episode, recorded in front of a live audience at The Tax Planning Summit and Reunion 2024 in Detroit, Dominique and Tom delve into the riveting case of Misty Brotherton Tanner, an accountant who turned trust into treachery, orchestrating a scheme that defrauded multiple companies of over half a million dollars.

Episode Highlights:

• The Setup: Misty Brotherton Tanner, a trusted accountant, manipulates payroll systems, creates ghost employees, and fabricates IRS documents to steal from her employers.
• The Scheme: Over the course of several years, Misty embezzles more than $582,000 through a web of deceit, involving her mother, Lois Brotherton, as an accomplice.
• The Impact: The shocking betrayal of trust leaves her employers, the Whites, in financial ruin and emotional turmoil, leading to legal battles and IRS debts.
• The Legal Consequences: Misty’s downfall culminates in a 33-month prison sentence, while her mother receives five years of probation with home confinement.
• Live Audience Q&A: After the episode, we turned the spotlight on our audience of 200 tax professionals, asking them about their experiences with fraud, the red flags they watch for, and the preventive measures they employ to protect themselves and their clients.

Key Takeaways for Tax Professionals:

• Recognizing Red Flags: Learn from the audience’s shared experiences on identifying the warning signs of fraud in client accounts.
• Balancing Trust and Verification: Explore strategies for maintaining trust with clients while ensuring thorough verification processes to prevent misconduct.
• Practical Prevention Tips: Discover practical tools, technologies, and best practices that can help safeguard your practice against fraudulent activities.

Special Thanks: A huge thank you to all the tax planner attendees of The Tax Planning Summit and Reunion 2024 for their participation and insightful contributions during the live Q&A session.

Stay Connected: If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe to Tax Crime Junkies and share it with fellow tax professionals. Join us next time as we uncover more stories of financial intrigue and deception. And remember, every financial crime leaves a trail—let’s follow it together.

Follow Us:

• Website:https://www.taxcrimejunkies.com
• Twitter:@taxcrimejunkies
• LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/dominiquemolina

Episode Summary: Continuing from our last episode, we dive deeper into the fraudulent tax shelter orchestrated by Michael L. Meyer, known as the "Ultimate Tax Plan." This episode explores the broader impact of this scam, from the high rollers who manipulated the system to the innocent bystanders and the tenacious IRS agents who brought them to justice.

What You'll Learn:

• Broader Impact of Fraud: How the scam affected the financial system and the victims ensnared in its web.
• IRS's Role in Justice: The challenges and successes faced by the IRS in dismantling one of the most sophisticated tax fraud operations in recent history.
• Insider Interviews: Hear from former clients, duped financial planners, and the IRS heroes who worked behind the scenes to uncover the truth.

Featured in This Episode:

• Dominique: CPA certified tax strategist with a law degree, leading the American Institute of Certified Tax Planners.
• Tom Gorczynski: Enrolled agent admitted to practice before the US Tax Court, passionate about unraveling tax mysteries.

Key Moments:

• Recap of the Ultimate Tax Plan's initial exposure and its setup.
• Detailed exploration of the scheme's expansion and the various players involved.
• Discussion on the IRS's crackdown, including exclusive interviews with insiders.
• Examination of a specific case involving a Tennessee couple misled into transferring their assets.
• Insights into the legal battles and the ultimate downfall of Michael L. Meyer and his co-conspirators.

Resources:

• Department of Justice: Information on the civil lawsuit against Michael and the permanent injunction.
• IRS Guidelines: Understanding charitable contributions and related tax regulations to avoid falling into similar traps.

Call to Action:

Subscribe to Tax Crime Junkies for more fascinating insights into the world of tax fraud. Share this episode with your network to help spread awareness about these sophisticated scams. Join us next week as we continue to uncover the truth behind the most intriguing tax crimes.

Hosts: Dominique Molina and Tom Gorczynski

In this episode of "Tax Crime Junkies," we delve into the shady dealings of Michael L. Meyer and his notorious "Ultimate Tax Plan." Discover how Meyer, posing as a trustworthy professional, lured financial planners and their wealthy clients into a fraudulent scheme promising massive tax breaks without real charitable contributions. Through a network of bogus charities and deceitful appraisals, Meyer managed to orchestrate one of the most elaborate tax frauds in recent history.

• The Mechanics of the Ultimate Tax Plan: How it promised tax benefits through fake charities and non-existent charitable contributions.
• Profile of Michael L. Meyer: A look into the life and criminal activities of the architect behind this grand tax fraud.
• Legal and Tax Implications: Understanding the violations involved in the scheme, including IRS rules on charitable contributions and tax deductions.
• The Role of Financial Planners: How they were duped by Meyer's credentials and presentations, and what red flags they missed.
• Real-Life Consequences: Insights into the repercussions for those who unwittingly or willfully participated in the scheme.

• Deep Dive into the Scheme: An analysis of how the Ultimate Tax Plan worked, including the use of LLCs and the fake appraisal process.

• Subscribe to Tax Crime Junkies for more deep dives into the world of tax fraud and real-life crime stories.
• Share This Episode: Help spread the word about these important stories to keep others informed and vigilant.

Stay tuned for the next episode of "Tax Crime Junkies," where we’ll explore the broader consequences of Meyer’s scheme on the financial industry and the relentless pursuit by the IRS to bring justice. We'll also feature personal stories from those caught in the crossfire of this deceitful plan.

Episode Summary: In this eye-opening episode of Tax Crime Junkies, your hosts Dominique and Tom delve into the complex and shocking world of Alan Fabian. A seemingly perfect citizen, family man, and business mogul, Alan's life took a dark turn into criminal activity, culminating in a 23-count criminal indictment in 2007. Discover how Alan's insatiable greed and savvy schemes fooled everyone around him and led to his downfall.

What You'll Learn:

• The Double Life of Alan Fabian: How a respected businessman and community member orchestrated a multi-million dollar fraud.
• The Mechanics of Fraud: Insights into the sale-and-leaseback transactions and false tax returns that fueled Alan's lavish lifestyle.
• The Consequences of Crime: A detailed account of the legal repercussions Alan faced, including his sentence and the aftermath for his family.
• A Story of Redemption? Alan's life post-incarceration and the role of faith and family in his attempt to make amends.

Featured in This Episode:

• Dominique: CPA certified tax strategist with a degree in law, leading the American Institute of Certified Tax Planners.
• Tom Gorczynski: Enrolled agent admitted to practice before the US Tax Court, with a deep interest in true crime.

Key Moments:

• [00:01:30] Introduction to Alan Fabian's seemingly perfect life and the initial shock of his criminal indictment.
• [00:6:53] What are sale leaseback transactions? What are gift leaseback transactions?
• [00:21:45] The unraveling of Alan's empire, the legal battles, and the fallout from his actions.
• [00:30:00] Analysis of the tax fraud elements in Alan's crimes and the lessons to be learned for both professionals and the public.

Resources:

• Arthur Andersen & Enron Scandal: Background on the firm where Alan began his career and its infamous collapse.
• Sale-and-Leaseback Transactions: An explanation of the financial arrangements central to Alan's scheme.
• U.S. Department of Justice: Overview of the criminal justice process for white-collar crimes.

Subscribe to Tax Crime Junkies to stay updated on the most fascinating tax crime stories. Share this episode with friends who love true crime, mysteries, or just a good story about justice served. Join us next week as we continue to explore the intricate web of tax fraud and the efforts to combat it.

This April Fool's Day, "Tax Crime Junkies" takes a detour from the usual maze of numbers and legal intrigue to bring you something completely different—a bonus episode packed with our most hilarious bloopers!

Join Dom and Tom as they let their guard down and share the moments that didn't make the cut. From tongue-tied explanations of tax legislation to unexpectedly comedic interpretations of courtroom drama, "No Joke Left Behind: The Tax Crime Junkies' Blooper Bonanza" promises a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the lighter side of making a tax crime podcast.

Expect laughter, a few facepalms, and an insider’s look at the mishaps and mispronunciations that happen when tax law gets too taxing. It's the content you never knew you needed, proving that even in the world of tax crime, there's plenty of room for a good laugh.

So, forget the calculators and legal briefs for a moment, and join us for an episode that celebrates the joy of unscripted moments and the human side of tax crime sleuthing. Because sometimes, the best way to tackle the complexities of tax law is with a hearty dose of humor.

"No Joke Left Behind: The Tax Crime Junkies' Blooper Bonanza"—where the only thing audited is our ability to keep a straight face.

Episode Summary:

In this compelling follow-up episode of "Tax Crime Junkies," hosts Dom and Tom continue their deep dive with Frank Kelly, the tax preparer whose battle against federal charges captivated our audience. In Part 2 of our exclusive interview, Kelly opens up about the aftermath of his trial, his journey towards personal and professional redemption, and his ongoing efforts to advocate for fairness and transparency in the tax system.

Key Episode Highlights:

1. Rebuilding After the Verdict: Kelly discusses the challenges of rebuilding his life and career following the resolution of his case, including the steps he's taken to regain trust and credibility in his community.

2. Lessons Learned: Reflecting on his ordeal, Kelly shares the valuable lessons he learned about the legal system, tax law, and personal resilience.

3. Advocacy and Change: Discover how Kelly's experiences have inspired him to become an advocate for change, including his work to support individuals facing similar legal challenges and his efforts to promote reforms within the tax preparation industry.

4. The Personal Toll: A candid look at the emotional and psychological impact of the trial on Kelly and his family, highlighting the often-overlooked human element of legal battles.

5. Looking Forward: Kelly talks about his hopes for the future, including his professional goals, personal aspirations, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.

6. Advice for Tax Preparers and Taxpayers: Drawing from his wealth of experience, Kelly offers advice for tax preparers and taxpayers alike, emphasizing the importance of diligence, honesty, and seeking knowledgeable guidance.

• Share Your Story: We invite listeners to share their own experiences with tax law, legal challenges, or personal redemption. Connect with us via social media or email.

• Connect with "Tax Crime Junkies":

• Twitter: [@TaxCrimeJunkies]
• Instagram: [@TaxCrimeJunkies]

Special Thanks: Our sincere thanks to Frank Kelly for his transparency and courage in sharing his story, to our listeners for their engagement and support, and to everyone who contributed to making this interview series insightful and impactful.