Posted on 07/14/2020 2:38:56 PM PDT by BAW
Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, who one year ago had part of his hand shot off in a lethal attack by a gunman at the Poway synagogue he founded and received an outpouring of support that included meeting President Donald Trump, pleaded guilty to federal charges of tax fraud and wire fraud Tuesday.
Goldstein, 58, pleaded guilty to his role in a multi-million dollar scheme where donors made large contributions to Chabad of Poway, but then secretly got most of the money back. Typically, Goldstein would keep a portion of the contribution — 10 percent — then funnel the remaining 90 percent back to the donor, according to a charging document unsealed in San Diego federal court Tuesday.
With help from an unnamed office administrator at the synagogue and others, Goldstein would generate charitable giving receipts on Chabad letterhead acknowledging the donors’ “generous tax deductible donation,” according to the court document.
The donor could then claim a large charitable contribution on their taxes, though he or she had only put out a fraction of the claimed amount. The conspiracy began at least as early as 2010 and netted at least $6.2 million in fraudulent donations, resulting in tax losses to the IRS of at least $1.5 million, according to prosecutors.
(Excerpt) Read more at sandiegouniontribune.com ...
Aw shucks.
If Farrakhan or Sharpton did this, would it be okay? Asking for a friend.
I hate to see this dirtbag ruin the name of Chabad.
Hope he rots in prison.
oh no.
Yes this is sad to hear.
Lots of these donors are now going to get ready for their audits. I wonder if the donors will face criminal charges because they knowingly were involved in this scheme. They cannot realistically claim that the tax letter from the synagogue had the wrong amount on it, and that they simply relied on that in filing their taxes.
Was that a "connect the dots" message coming to him from above?
This really stinks. If true, it provides ammunition to a lot of the wrong people.
The Chosen People...chose poorly.
Und so?
Is it actually a sin to cheat the government out of their tax money anyway?
IRS please don’t audit me because of this post :(
Economically, a charitable deduction is worth whatever your combined tax bracket is. Let’s say 35% (California, plus you have enough money for donations to be plausible).
So, you give money to the Rabbi, he keeps 10%, gives you 90% back. You take a deduction against income of the full amount, for 35%, but you’ve got the money back.
So, its a 35% fraud against the government. He keeps 10% of that 35%, and you net 25%.
OK, I see how it works. Easy enough to understand, albeit fraudulent.
“The Chosen People...chose poorly.”
Probably so.
But this scumbag “rabbi” probably was open to taking “donations” from non-Jewish people, too.
Money’s money.
I’ve donated a ton of money to Chabad over the years (not this one). I’ve got checks — and no return slush, either.
It’s a great outfit, normally.
I am weirdly happy the Rebbe didn’t live to see this.
I live in the community where this Chabad is located, and it’s a shame. The rabbi was heroic when the shootings occurred. He physically placed himself between the gunman and a group of children, and lost part of his hand for it. He has been a well respected and leading citizen of Poway, and his life is once again changed forever. I pray for his safety and the ability & desire to reconcile himself with his flock, his friends, and most importantly, his G-d.
Because he shook hands with Trump
Major chillul Hashem. I see Chabad kicked him out. He should be under cherem. And should have done some jail time, even if club Fed.
BIG SHANDA.
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