Harris Organization Clients
Selected Clients of The Harris Organization - August 31, 2002
Cavett, Turner & Wyble, LLP et al v. Tracy L. Sunderlage et al: Dismissal Order
Order of Dismissal in Cavett, Turner & Wyble, LLP, Golden Eagle Financial Group, Inc., Gilbert I. Low, P.C., Gilbert I. Low, R. Leldon Sweet, M.D., P.A., and R. Leldon Sweet, M.D. v. Tracy L. Sunderlage, Carey L. Sunderlage, Sunderlage Resource Group, Inc., Professional Benefit Trust, Inc., Professional Benefit Trust, Ltd., PBT Administration, LLC, The Professional and Small Business Council, Inc., Independent Trust Corporation, First Fidelity Trust Co., Ltd., Handler, Thayer & Duggan, LLC, and Thomas J. Handler at the U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.
Colombia: Jorge Andres Jose Fernandez Garbiras
Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence - pursuant to a request for judicial assistance from Colombia - for a criminal investigation into Jorge Andres Jose Fernandez Garbiras for suspected extortion.
Brazil: Nelson Sakaguchi
Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Brazil into Nelson Sakaguchi for allegedly stealing over $240 million from his employer, Banco Noroeste.
ALERT: Debt-ridden Harris Organization begins operating under a new name
Banks, brokers and other companies are advised that offshore financial services provider Marc Harris is now operating under the new name of 'Mitchell Astor Gilbert Trust Co.'
Lithuania: Nerijus Ulcinas
Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Lithuania into Nerijus Ulcinas for alleged smuggling.
‘John Rizzo doesn’t advocate tax evasion’, writes his attorney
Letter to the Editor of OffshoreAlert from J. David Hughes, an attorney representing John Rizzo.
Brazil: Improver International Fund Ltd.
Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Brazil into British Virgin Islands-domiciled Improver International Fund Ltd. for suspected involvement in corruption, securities fraud, tax evasion and money laundering.
USA v. Peter Rogan et al: Complaint
Complaint in USA v. Peter Rogan, Braddock Management, LP, Bainbridge Management, LP, f.k.a. Braddock Management LP; and Bainbridge Management, Inc., f.k.a. Braddock Management, Inc., f.k.a. Waldo Point Management, at the U. S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
Newt Utopia: Don’t believe what you read, except here, of course
The IRS hunts for lost taxes.
Cavett, Turner & Wyble, LLP et al v. Tracy L. Sunderlage et al: Complaint
Complaint in Cavett, Turner & Wyble, LLP, Golden Eagle Financial Group, Inc., Gilbert I. Low, P.C., Gilbert I. Low, R. Leldon Sweet, M.D., P.A., and R. Leldon Sweet, M.D. v. Tracy L. Sunderlage, Carey L. Sunderlage, Sunderlage Resource Group, Inc., Professional Benefit Trust, Inc., Professional Benefit Trust, Ltd., PBT Administration, LLC, The Professional and Small Business Council, Inc., Independent Trust Corporation, First Fidelity Trust Co., Ltd., Handler, Thayer & Duggan, LLC, and Thomas J. Handler at the U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.
Finland: Elena Skorodumova
Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence - pursuant to a request for judicial assistance from Finland - for a criminal investigation into Elena Skorodumova for alleged tax fraud.
Brazil: Jose Samuel Benzecry
Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation into Marcos Marcelino De Oliveira, Jose Samuel Benzecry,Ourvoida Serruya Benzecry, Leonardo Dias Mendonca and others for suspected money laundering, smuggling, foreign currency evasion, and tax evasion.
United Kingdom: Paul Winter Morris
Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a money laundering investigation in the United Kingdom into solicitor Paul Winter Morris.
US court approves application to serve summonses on VISA International for tax evasion investigation
A California court has approved a request by the Internal Revenue Service for leave to file "John Doe" summonses on VISA International as part of an investigation into tax evasion using offshore credit cards.
The order, issued on March 28, 2002, allows the IRS to examine the records of VISA credit or debit cards issued "by, through, or on behalf of banks or other financial institutions" in 31 offshore jurisdictions.
Bank of Butterfield promo used by IRS to help gain access to offshore credit cards
Promotional material from the Bermuda-based Bank of Butterfield was among IRS evidence that persuaded a California court to grant the tax collector access to VISA card records relating to 31 offshore jurisdictions, including Bermuda.
IRS Agent Joseph C. West quoted from Butterfield's web-site which offered private bank services if "You seek to preserve your wealth and accumulate assets while reducing legal and tax restrictions".
US court freezes assets of Merrill Scott & Associates
A United States court has appointed a receiver for and frozen the assets of an offshore investment group that has been accused by the SEC of operating a Ponzi scheme that took in at least $25 million.
David K. Broadbent was appointed receiver on January 23, 2002 for the defendants in a civil lawsuit that had been filed eight days earlier by the SEC at the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah.
Italy: Antonio Centrone
Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Italy into alleged tax evasion by Centrone Pietro & Figli.
John Mathewson lawsuit moved from Illinois to Texas
A civil lawsuit filed by Leon Denning against his former Cayman Islands-based banker, John Mathewson, has been moved from Denning's home state of Illinois to Texas, where Mathewson resides.
Spain: Pedro Morillas Casas
Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Spain into Pedro Morillas Casas and others on suspicion of forging documents and committing tax offenses.
Poland: Mariella LLC
Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Poland into Mariella LLC for suspected tax fraud.
Client seeks liquidation of Marc Harris firm, claims he is owed $1 million
A client of financial services provider Marc Harris has confirmed to OffshoreAlert that he is taking legal action in Panama in an attempt to recover an investment of approximately $1 million.An article was published in La Prensa newspaper in November
Appeals court rules in favor of UPS in tax dispute with IRS
The 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in the United States has denied a petition of the IRS Commissioner to rehear its earlier decision in favor of United Parcel Service Inc. in relation to the legality of its now defunct
Poland: Ryszard Warda
Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Poland into Ryszard Warda for alleged fraud.
Former client sues John Mathewson for turning him in to the IRS
A businessman who has been criminally indicted for alleged tax fraud in the United States is suing former Cayman banker John Mathewson for turning him in to the IRS.It is believed to be the first time that a client of the now defunct Cayman-based Guardian Bank and Trust has sought damages against Mathewson for handing over the bank's records to the US authorities.Leon Denning, who was indicted on eight counts of tax fraud at the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on March 29, 2001, filed a civil suit against Mathewson at the same court on August 9.
Marc Harris clients imprisoned for tax evasion
Marc Harris clients Tony Vigna and his son, Joseph, have been sentenced to prison terms of 24 months and 18 months, respectively, at the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida after previously pleading guilty to tax evasion.
UPS and Overseas Partners celebrate tax court decision
A US appeals court has overturned a 1999 decision that a reinsurance program operated by UPS and Bermuda-based Overseas Partners Ltd. amounted to tax evasion.The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals said the reinsurance program, which covered extra package insurance for UPS clients, was not a "sham transaction", as determined by the IRS and Tax Court.
David Voth cleared of impeding tax evasion inquiry
Canadian offshore advisor David Voth has been found not guilty by a provincial court of failing to comply with Revenue Canada's requests to see his financial records.
Judge Bria Huculuk ruled on April 6, 2001 that the Crown had not proven "beyond a reasonable doubt" that Voth, 42, had the criminal intent of deliberately avoiding compliance, reported a local newspaper.
Clients of Marc Harris imprisoned in Florida
Marc Harris clients Tony Vigna and his son, Joseph, have been sentenced to prison terms of 24 months and 18 months, respectively, at the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida after previously pleading guilty to tax evasion.
Mathewson claims Cayman politician asked for pay-off
Former banker John Mathewson claims that a member of the Cayman Islands government once asked him for a pay-off of $250,000, plus shares in an offshore bank that Mathewson controlled.
Mathewson, who owned and managed the now defunct Cayman-registered Guardian Bank & Trust, made the allegation on the first of three days of United States Senate hearings into money laundering.
Ukraine: Ukrainian Food Enterprise Ltd.
Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Ukraine into Ukrainian Food Enterprise Ltd. for alleged tax fraud.
United Kingdom: Robert Swire et al
Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in the United Kingdom into Robert Swire and Robert Leung for alleged tax evasion regarding Memsolve Limited.
Panamanian regulators act against Marc Harris
The Panama Securities Commission has turned down an investment advisor application by Harris Investment Advisory Inc., which is part of The Harris Organization group. A Commission spokesman said the application was rejected primarily because of "the number of complaints we have received from Harris clients alleging all sorts of dubious practices".
Raids on Jerome Schneider and Global Prosperity, charges against Anderson’s Ark
Jerome Schneider, who has made a living by selling offshore bank charters in lightly-regulated jurisdictions to private individuals and by writing offshore books, had his office raided by the IRS on February 26. The raid on the office of Schneider's Wilshire Publishing Company in California was one of three high profile actions taken against offshore promoters within five days of each other in the United States.
Poland: Sulik Auto, Inc. et al
Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence from Sulik Auto, Inc., Progressive Auto, and Merek Piepryzyk - pursuant to a request for judicial assistance from Poland - for a criminal investigation in Poland into alleged tax fraud.
Harris Organization clients plead guilty to tax evasion
Harris Organization clients Tony and Joseph Vigna have each pleaded guilty to three criminal counts relating to tax evasion at the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, in Miami, in an attempt to minimize their sentence, which is due to be handed down on May 25, 2001.
Former Harris clients may change plea
Former Marc Harris clients Tony Vigna and his son, Joseph, appear to be about to change their plea on money laundering and other criminal charges from not guilty to guilty in Miami.What is described on the court docket sheet as a 'Change of Plea Hearing' has been set for March 2, 2001 before Judge Daniel Hurley at the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
USA v. Daniel Leveto et al: Criminal Indictment
Indictment in USA v. Daniel Leveto and Donald Turner, a.k.a. Don Wood, at the U. S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Two more Harris Organization clients deported to US to face criminal charges
Two more clients of The Harris Organization have been arrested in Panama and deported to their native United States to face trial on criminal charges.
Anthony Vigna, 68, and his son, Joseph, 35, were arrested on November 9, 2000 as they left their homes in Panama and immediately flown to Miami, where they are being held in custody.
IRS gains access to offshore credit card accounts
A US judge has ordered that American Express and MasterCard must hand over records to the IRS relating to Americans utilizing offshore credit, charge and debit cards through three offshore centers. The ex parte order, issued on October 30, 2000 at the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida, specifically relates to accounts linked with Antigua, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands.
Marc Harris gets temporary reprieve after being closed down
After months of ignoring blatant illegalities, Panamanian regulators finally acted against The Harris Organization financial services group this month and suspended its business operations. However, an Order by La Comisión Nacional de Valores (National Securities Commission) was itself suspended by the Panamanian Supreme Court following an application by The Harris Organization.
Grenada licenses new FIBG and blocks FBI investigation into fraud
Grenada Prime Minister Keith Mitchell is being lined up as a potential defendant in a civil fraud lawsuit following the collapse of the First International Bank of Grenada. Depositors have vowed to take action against Mitchell after his government announced that it had granted a license to a new bank called First International Bank of Grenada 2000 Ltd.
Hungary: Laszlo Vargo
Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Hungary into Laszlo Vargo for alleged tax fraud.
Bahamas Update: Significant financial sector changes on the way
 Bahamas contemplates signing a Tax Information Exchange Agreement with the Unites States and prepares to close down private banks.
Omega Trust and Trading investment farce ends after six-year run
One of the longest-running investment farces ever ended this month when 19 people were criminally indicted in relation to a so-called 'offshore trading program' known as Omega Trust and Trading Ltd. The scheme has been going on since at least January, 1994 and has raised at least $12.5 million, according to an indictment filed at the US District Court for the Central District of Illinois on August 18.
Harris Organization-controlled motel put into receivership
A Florida motel controlled by The Harris Organization has been put into receivership after the Panama-based financial services group defaulted on an $11,820 per month mortgage. A receiver for Neptune's Hideaway Motel Inc., in Key Largo, was appointed by the 16th Judicial Court for Monroe County on June 20, 2000 after an application on June 6 by creditor LRJ Realty Inc.
Bahamas prepares for Tax Exchange Information Agreement with US
The Bahamas Government is considering signing a Tax Information Exchange Agreement with the United States, which has been pursuing such an agreement for about 20 years.
Bahamas government consults Bermuda on US Tax Information Exchange Agreement
The Bahamas Government has consulted with its Bermuda counterpart in an effort to shed its image as a haven for tax evaders and money launderers.
Major countries strike hard against offshore centers
The high stakes poker game between onshore and offshore governments lost six players recently but another 35 have 12 months to decide whether the OECD is bluffing with the threat of sanctions.Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Malta, Mauritius and San Marino have all signed an 'Advanced Letter of Commitment' agreeing to co-operate with international tax investigations.
German police investigate Marc Harris
The Panamanian authorities have received yet another request for assistance from a foreign agency investigating alleged crimes involving The Harris Organization financial services group.
La Prensa, which is the main newspaper in Panama, reported in June that Interpol in Wiesbaden, Germany, had submitted a written request for help to their counterparts in Panama on March, 8, 2000.
According to La Prensa, the Germans are investigating an alleged fraud committed in Germany and Switzerland and allegedly involving Heinz Richard, 52, someone called 'Hintermeier' and a company named Victus Commerz AG.
