Unraveling the Gold Scam: Boston Plumber Charged for Tax Evasion

In Massachusetts, a 78-year-old man from Boston named Claudio Poles was charged with four counts of filing false tax returns. These charges came as a result of his plumbing and heating business in Mattapan, which he co-owns. The accusations claim that Poles engaged in a tax evasion scheme by purchasing over $10 million worth of gold and silver bars using money from the business.

Poles allegedly kept receipts from his business’s tax preparer and used the money to buy the precious metals for his own benefit. He disguised the purchases by labeling them as “Boilers,” “Materials,” and “P&H Supp.” on checks used to pay for them. The scheme involved filing fraudulent tax returns from 2019 to 2022.

It is currently unclear whether Poles has obtained legal representation to address the charges. If convicted of filing false tax returns, he could face up to three years in prison, up to two years of probation, and a $250,000 fine. This case serves as a reminder that individuals who engage in schemes to avoid paying taxes may face serious consequences.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Massachusetts brought these charges against Poles, highlighting their commitment to addressing tax evasion and fraudulent activities.