Cranston Businessman Pleads Guilty to Federal Tax Charges

PROVIDENCE, RI—John J. McCauley, Jr., 54, of Cranston, the owner and co-operator of McCauley and L’Europa Public Adjusters LLC and PIA Restoration LLC, pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence today to conspiracy to defraud the United States and filing false tax returns. McCauley’s business partner, William L’Europa, 47, of Cranston, pleaded guilty yesterday to the same federal charges. McCauley is scheduled to be sentenced on December 21, 2012. L’Europa is scheduled to be sentenced on December 20, 2012.

Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi, McCauley and L’Europa admitted that they underreported business receipts for tax years 2007-2010 by nearly $1.8 million dollars, resulting in the underpayment of federal taxes to the Internal Revenue Service of more than $500,000.

The guilty pleas were announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Office of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Criminal Investigation; Richard Deslauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Field Office; Guy N. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Boston Field Office; and Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.

According to signed plea agreements, McCauley and L’Europa must file accurate, amended federal tax returns for tax years 2007-2011.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys William J. Ferland and Sandra R. Hebert.

The matter was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation, FBI, ATF, Rhode Island State Police, and the Providence Fire Department Fire Prevention Division.