A Miami man has pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return and agreed to pay the Internal Revenue Service more than $34 million in restitution, federal prosecutors announced.
Daniel Liburdi, 37, entered the guilty plea to one count of filing a false tax return. He faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 18.
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In addition to the $34,846,381 in restitution, Liburdi has agreed to the civil forfeiture of three real properties in Miami Beach and the U.S. Virgin Islands valued at approximately $37.5 million, two Ferraris and one Land Rover Range Rover valued at approximately $1.1 million, and the contents of several financial accounts totaling $414,508. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
Scheme stretched over three tax years
According to court documents, Liburdi misreported his income on his 2021, 2022 and 2023 tax returns. On his 2023 return, Liburdi falsely attributed business income to a U.S. Virgin Islands-based entity rather than U.S.-based entities that had actually generated the income.
That false claim allowed Liburdi to take Economic Development Commission, or EDC, Beneficiary exclusions on income that was not eligible for the exclusion — resulting in nearly $10 million in underreported taxes for 2023 alone.
Liburdi also misreported income on his 2021 and 2022 returns, resulting in an additional tax loss to the government of more than $24 million.
What prosecutors are saying
“Liburdi’s actions represent a flagrant disregard for our nation’s tax laws as he engaged in a deliberate scheme to evade taxes, defraud the U.S. Treasury, and exploit public coffers for his personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
“Our office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to combat fraud and ensure that those who violate federal laws are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Kehoe added.
Ron Loecker, special agent in charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Florida Field Office, said the case sends a clear message to high-income earners.
“This defendant earned tens of millions of dollars in income and then devised an elaborate scheme to not pay taxes,” Loecker said. “This case demonstrates that high net-worth individuals, like all Americans, are held accountable for filing false documents with the IRS, and IRS Special Agents will join forces with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who choose similar paths.”