www.bernhoftlaw.com Open in urlscan Pro
209.59.140.192  Public Scan

Form analysis
0 forms found in the DOM

Text Content

THE BERNHOFT LAW FIRM, S.C.

Menu

Contact
 * Practices
   * IRS Tax Defense
   * White Collar Investigations
   * Complex Business Litigation
   * Investment Fraud Recovery
   * Syndicated Conservation Easement (“SCE”) tax scams
 * Cases
   * Jerry Marchelletta
   * Wesley Snipes
   * Joseph Banister
   * Ralph Nader
   * Vernice Kuglin
 * Home
 * Buzz
   * Events
   * News
   * Blog
 * About
 * Contact


JOSEPH BANISTER




JURY ACQUITS FORMER IRS SPECIAL AGENT OF FELONY TAX CHARGES

Joseph Banister, a former IRS agent and prominent IRS whistleblower, was
acquitted on all federal tax fraud and conspiracy charges.

The widely-followed U.S. District Court case stemmed from tax returns that
Banister, a certified public accountant, had filed for the owner of a small
aviation firm in Lake Shasta, California. The business owner contended he owed
no taxes and did not withhold taxes from employees, while claiming a refund for
taxes paid in previous years.

Banister had told his clients they didn’t need to file federal income tax
returns because the 16th Amendment, which gives Congress “power to lay and
collect taxes on incomes,” was never properly ratified. Years before, he had
given his bosses at the IRS a 95-page memo detailing his belief before being
forced to resign from the agency.

Robert Bernhoft, Banister’s attorney, said his client was acquitted because the
government did not prove he intended to defraud. Observers said a crucial moment
of the trial occurred when defense attorneys intensely questioned Banister’s
former supervisor at IRS, Robert Gorini, and he was unable to cite any U.S. law
that required Banister to pay income taxes.

“Brilliant legal work by the law office of Robert Bernhoft was key in Mr.
Banister’s acquittal,” noted John Turner, a former IRS agent. “They recognized
the complete lack of evidence to support the government’s case and wisely
decided that it would add nothing to have witnesses and Banister testify.”

> “Protestors Win a Case Over IRS” – New York Times

 





OTHER MAJOR CASES

Jerry Marchelletta Wesley Snipes Ralph Nader Vernice Kuglin


JUSTICE IS COMING


THE BERNHOFT LAW FIRM, S.C.

1402 E. Cesar Chavez Street
Austin, Texas 78702
Phone: (512) 582-2100
Fax: (512) 373-3159
 * Disclaimer

Representing clients in IRS civil and criminal tax controversies throughout the
country and abroad, and in federal courts in all 50 states and the territories.
© 2024 The Bernhoft Law Firm, S.C.
The owner of this website has made a committment to accessibility and inclusion,
please report any problems that you encounter using the contact form on this
website. This site uses the WP ADA Compliance Check plugin to enhance
accessibility.