Michael Simes, a 50-year-old attorney from Newtown, pleaded guilty on Feb. 17 before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to charges related to failing to file tax returns and not paying more than $3.1 million in taxes, penalties, and interest owed.
The case highlights the consequences of failing to meet federal tax obligations, especially for individuals with significant income. The announcement was made by David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Simes did not file U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns for the 2013 tax year and from 2016 through 2022. This resulted in a tax loss of $1,876,307 on gross income exceeding $5.6 million. For the years 2016 through 2020, Simes requested filing extensions until October but still failed to file or pay his taxes.
Simes also filed returns for the years 2012, 2014, and 2015 but paid only a portion of what he owed for those years, leading to additional penalties and interest. He has agreed to pay restitution totaling $2,871,676.
Simes pleaded guilty to three counts of failure to file a tax return. Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for June 8; Simes faces up to three years in prison and is currently released on a $40,000 bond pending sentencing.
The Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser is prosecuting the case.
