Main Line Accountant Convicted Of Tax Evasion

PHILADELPHIA — A 51-year-old Malvern man was convicted Friday by a federal jury of evading millions of dollars in taxes by hiding his income and using the money for a second home, private school tuition. country club dues and more.

Michael Goldner was convicted of failing to pay $1.8 million in taxes from 2013 to 2017, failing to report income earned in 2016 and 2017 and failing to file tax returns in 2018 and 2019.

The conviction on charges of tax evasion and failing to file income tax followed a trial before U.S. Judge Mark A. Kearney.

Goldner used cash and his employer’s business accounts to hide his income, according to court records.

U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams said the verdict sends a clear message that tax cheats will not be tolerated.

“The American tax system provides government services critical to our people,” Williams said.
“Every time someone cheats the tax system, the burden of providing vital services increases on taxpayers who pay their fair share.”

Goldner was represented by Philadelphia attorney Mark E. Cedrone.

According to prosecutors:
In 2016, Goldner was convicted of a wire fraud scheme and was ordered to pay nearly $5 million in restitution.

He was on federal probation when he was charged in June 2021 with tax evasion.

Evidence presented at trial showed that for the tax years 2013 through 2017, Goldner reported more than $4 million in income and $1.8 million in tax due, of which he paid less than $100,000.

From 2016 to 2020, the defendant evaded the payment of outstanding taxes while earning a substantial income.

Instead of depositing his paychecks into a personal bank account, he cashed the checks and used his employer’s business accounts to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars of personal expenses.

In 2016 and 2017, the defendant filed tax returns that failed to report this additional income from his employer.

For tax years 2018 and 2019, the defendant failed to file a returns.

“Mr. Goldner went through great lengths to not pay taxes, including hiding money from the IRS,” said Yury Kruty, IRS criminal investigation special agent.

But Kruty said Goldner failed to account for the IRS expertise in following the money.

“Mr. Goldner thought he could fly under the radar, but the verdict returned today shows how futile his efforts were,” Kruty said.

“'If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again’ really shouldn’t be a fraudster’s mantra,” added Jacqueline Maguire, special agent with the FBI’s Philadelphia division.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Ignall and Jack Morgan, department of justice trial attorney for the criminal division’s tax section.