Another Jewish institution may be involved in tax fraud

Information provided by U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer in the tax fraud case against Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein and five co-defendants alleges that another religious institution, not yet identified, has also been involved in tax fraud.

In a summary of the case against co-defendant Bruce Baker, who pleaded guilty last week to conspiring with Rabbi Goldstein to defraud the U.S. government of tax revenue, the U.S. Attorney’s office said in an official document:

“Separate from his dealings with Rabbi Goldstein, Baker also admitted that he engaged in a similar tax evasion scheme with the director of a separate religious congregation and community organization in San Diego.  In 2006, that individual offered Baker and his family an arrangement where they would pretend to make an “in-kind” donation to the religious organization of an ancient Iranian Torah—although no such Torah existed and the “in-kind” donation was a hoax.  This other director provided Baker with a fraudulent appraisal that valued the Torah at $1.2 million.  Baker and his family used the fake paperwork to claim exorbitant tax deductions, and gave the co-conspirator a 10 percent fee—or $120,000—in return.  On top of that, the director charged Baker $20,000 for the fake appraisal.”

Kelly Thornton, director of media relations for the U.S. Attorney’s office, was asked by San Diego Jewish World if she could provide any more information, such as the identity of the director or the religious institution, or whether that person was soon to be charged.  However,  Thornton did not immediately respond to the request for information.