Florence doctor pleads guilty to filing false tax return
Published: January 13, 2009
Updated: January 14, 2009
A Florence emergency room doctor pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false tax return for the year 2000 on Tuesday, when he was scheduled to stand trial in Florence before U.S. District Court Judge R. Bryan Harwell.
Peter Zavell, 44, was indicted in August 2007 for conspiracy to impede the IRS and for filing false returns for years 2000 and 2001. According to the indictment, Zavell used the “Look Back” and “Look Forward” programs, marketed by Anderson Ark and Associates, to create fictitious entities and business transactions intended to eliminate his tax obligations. The tax loss relative to the scheme was $244,784.
According to the indictment, Zavell used the Look Back program to set up a sham partnership for the purpose of reporting false expenses and eliminating his individual tax liabilities. The indictment alleged he created a sham partnership with which his medical practice allegedly engaged in fictitious business contracts in order to generate false business expenses for his medical practice and substantially reduce the business tax obligations.
As part of the plea agreement, the government agreed to dismiss charges against his wife, 40-year-old Susan Zavell. The Zavells, who operated Heavenly Skin Medical Skin Solutions in Florence, had been charged in a three-count indictment with conspiracy to defraud the United States and filing false tax returns.
Harwell did not set a sentencing date for Zavell, who faces up to three years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Winston D. Holliday Jr. of the Columbia office prosecuted the case, with assistance from trial attorneys Kevin C. Lombardi and and Gregory R. Bockin of the U.S. Department of Justice, Tax Division.
Reader Reactions
In response to darlingtonsc: Actually, the CPA’s who set it up were found guilty of fraud against the investors because they stole over $30 million from investors like Dr Zavell and Dr Dehlinger. THEN, after saying the investors were “victims” of fraud, the IRS chose a few “lucky” people, mostly high profile people like these 2 doctors, and they prosecuted them to make “examples” out of them to parade around in public. That is our system of justice. The other investors just lost their money, whereas the ones prosecuted lost their money, and lost many years of mental, emotional, and fanancial drain in defending themselves against the charges. So where are the CPA’s? They are either in prison, or out of prison, after serving time for FRAUD against these very same people. It makes no sense.
why is this anderson ark and assc not charged in these doctors that are being arrested for taxe inv. this is the 2nd doctor using this firm if they are illegal then why is the irs not going after them and only the emergency room doctors using them i seriously doubt that i bet alot of people are. is this a set up by this company and the irs together. makes you wonder
I have known the Zavell’s for many years and can only say this: They are some of Florence’s finest. He has given free medical care to those in need and his wife gave and gave and gave everything she had to her own clients. Too bad the press had to throw in her business name into this “article”, which she sacrificed so much for. She started that business only a few years ago. Why mention it in relation to this 2000 event??? I don’t get it!! I know I am not the only one who misses her and her husband’s FIRST RATE service. These people were TAKEN. They lost everything they had. And yet they still hold firm to their faith and the God they serve. I am honored to know them and call them friends. Surely some good will come out of this tragedy someday. We should all rally around this fine family and servants of our community!! You just have no idea what they have been through in these last 8 years. It is enough to make a movie script. Hang in there guys! You are very much loved and are being held up by many!
The Morning News and WBTW are one step above TMZ and Perez Hilton!
What do you do if you’re not qualified for a job? Work for the Morning News or WBTW!
Well, here you go, another example of the IRS picking and choosing who to attack. Sadder still is that the press never gives the FULL story. The facts in this case are that there were over 2,000 investors who were scammed out of over 30 million dollars of hard-earned money. It was run by licensed CPA’s and attorneys. The investors were assured of the legality. The IRS called the investors “victims” in the trial against the CPAs, who were eventually convicted of FRAUD against who else??? The investors, inlcuding Dr. Zavell!!!! Then they turned around and for the first time in the history of the IRS, they called the very victims “criminals” themselves. Nice. To make matters worse, they charged not everyone…just a small handful of high-profule people with which to make “examples.“ They charged not only Dr. Zavell but also his wife, knowing full well that they have 2 young children who they need to protect. Read between the lines folks!!!! There is much more to this story. Sure do appreciate the press throwing in their business name, which wasn’t even established until 2003, much less did it have anything to do with these investments. The Zavells were scammed out of a life’s savings. They are some of Florence’s finest, and we are blessed to have them. I am honored to know Dr. Zavell personally, having worked with him for some time. He is a fine, honorable, and outspoken Christian man, who walks the walk, not just “talks the talk.“ Given the choice of risking prison for both he and his wife, he did the right thing. Some day the WHOLE TRUTH will come out. I hope he will write a book and go on a national speaking tour. In the meantime Dr. Zavell, stay strong, keep the faith, and know that you and yours are loved, respected, and much appreciated for all you do for this community. I will pray for mercy in the heart of the Judge. I hope that people can see through the web of lies and in the end will understand what happened.
?
Advertisement