A Connecticut man has been sentenced to one year and one day in prison for tax evasion related to his earnings from commercial fishing activities in Massachusetts.
Court documents reveal that Brian Kobus, hailing from Durham, worked as a commercial fisherman and deckhand for various companies in Massachusetts. He received payments by check after each fishing trip. Despite earning over $1.2 million between 2011 through 2013 and 2017 through 2021, Kobus failed to file federal income tax returns or pay the taxes owed on this income. To hide the source and use of his earnings from the IRS, he frequently cashed his paychecks and used the money for personal expenses.
Kobus's actions resulted in a tax loss of approximately $377,839.90 to the IRS.
U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton of the District of Massachusetts also ordered Kobus to serve one year of supervised release following his prison term and to pay restitution amounting to $377,839.90 to the United States.
The announcement was made by Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy for the District of Massachusetts.
The case is being investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation, with Trial Attorney Matthew L. Cofer of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor Wild for the District of Massachusetts prosecuting.