Chicago man admits to running Israeli-American money laundering scam
U.S. prosecutors say Marvin Berkowitz stole identities of dead people, federal prisoners to file for tax refunds worth about $54 million.
By Haaretz Service and The Associated Press Tags: Israel news Jewish WorldU.S. authorities uncovered a Chicago-based Israeli-American money laundering network responsible for an alleged tax evasion of over $45 million, the Chicago Tribune reported on Saturday.
 |
|
| Photo by: AP |
The Chicago Tribune reported that 64-year-old Marvin Berkowitz entered a guilty plea Friday as part of an agreement weeks before his trial was to begin in federal court in Chicago.
Prosecutors say Berkowitz stole the identities of dead people and federal prisoners to file for tax refunds in 28 states. He fled to Jerusalem to avoid charges in a 2003 tax fraud case and was arrested there in August 2009 in an operation codenamed "American Pie."
Prosecutors say the scam was worth about $54 million.
According to the report, Berkowitz fled Chicago and arrived in Jerusalem seven years ago, but was eventually caught and extradited to the United States.
Berkowitz's son, David Berkowitz of Hollywood, California, has already pleaded guilty in the case. Charges are pending against two other relatives.
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
