Rochester Attorney Pleads Guilty To Tax Evasion Charge

ALBANY, NY (08/10/2010)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Acting Commissioner Jamie Woodward today announced that Harvey J. Bunis pled guilty to one misdemeanor count of failing to pay state personal income taxes before Acting Monroe County Judge Stephen T. Miller.

Bunis, 62, an attorney who resides at 42 Conmar Drive in Rochester, was charged in January with four felony counts for failing to file income tax returns from 2002 through 2007, while having a tax liability in each of those years. He was also charged with a misdemeanor for failing to file his 2008 income tax return.

In addition to engaging in the private practice of law during the period of his non-filing, Bunis had served as a part-time Assistant District Attorney in the Monroe County District Attorney's Office. He resigned from that position in June 2009.

Prior to his plea, Bunis filed the delinquent returns and paid to the Tax Department more than $28,000 in taxes, penalty and interest.

The charges were filed as part of a continuing initiative by the Tax Department to identify individuals who have failed to file and remit personal income taxes to the State.

Acting Commissioner Woodward said, "People who purposely fail to pay their taxes force law-abiding taxpayers to shoulder a greater burden. We remain committed to ensuring that the tax laws are equitably and impartially enforced and that all taxpayers pay their fair share.

"The State offers programs such as the Voluntary Disclosure and Compliance Program to encourage delinquent taxpayers to become compliant without facing criminal prosecution or civil penalty. It is hoped that this case will encourage such taxpayers to come forward and satisfy their obligations. For more information about these programs, go to the Department's website at www.nystax.gov."

Acting Commissioner Woodward commended Monroe County District Attorney Michael C. Green for his aggressive prosecution of this case.

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