Syracuse Man Charged with Filing False Tax Returns and Failing to File a Return

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Glen Zinszer, 50, of Liverpool, New York, made his initial appearance yesterday and was arraigned in federal court in Syracuse, on charges that he filed false federal tax returns and failed to file a tax return when he was required to do so.  Following the court appearance, Zinszer was released on conditions of supervision pending trial. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith, Jonathan D. Larsen, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Office, Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), and Thomas F. Relford, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). 

As alleged in the indictment, Zinszer failed to report as income on his tax returns hundreds of thousands of dollars that he withdrew from a company called Brazzlebox that he was operating in Syracuse, New York. It is further alleged that Zinszer used the money he withdrew from Brazzlebox’s accounts to finance personal expenses and obligations, including the payment of mortgages on personal properties, cash withdrawals for personal use, retail purchases, stays at hotels and spas, and personal telephone and internet service. The indictment also alleges that Zinszer failed to file a federal income tax return for tax year 2016 when he was required to do so.

The felony charges against Zinszer carry a maximum prison sentence of up to three years per count, a fine of up to $100,000 per count, and a term of supervised release of up to one year.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. 

The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Gadarian and Geoffrey J.L. Brown.