TAX NEWS - JUNE 2010

Lawyers Convicted in Tax Shelter Scheme

Verdict means that nine people have been convicted or pleaded guilty in connection with the selling of illegal tax shelters by Jenkens & Gilchrist

Two attorneys were convicted late Wednesday in a scheme to fraudulently collect referral fees on tax shelters designed and marketed in conjunction with the defunct law firm Jenkens & Gilchrist.

John B. Ohle III, who worked as a supervisor in the Chicago office of Bank One's "innovative strategies group" and helped design the shelters, was found guilty of wire and tax fraud conspiracy and two counts of tax evasion following a three-week trial before Southern District Judge Jed S. Rakoff.

William Bradley, a Louisiana attorney, was found guilty of wire and tax fraud conspiracy for joining with Ohle and others to fraudulently obtain fees relating to tax shelters sold by the bank.

The convictions were obtained with the cooperation and testimony of Jay Ira Gordon, the former chairman of Greenberg Traurig's tax practice, who pleaded guilty in 2008 to conspiracy and trying to obstruct and impede enforcement of the tax laws.

Ohle, 42, faces a maximum sentence of five years on each of the three counts when he is sentenced Sept. 9. Bradley, 46, faces a maximum of five years behind bars.

The guilty verdict brings to nine the number of people who have been convicted or pleaded guilty in connection with the selling of illegal shelters by Jenkens & Gilchrist.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stanley Okula and Nanette L. Davis of the U.S. Justice Department's tax division.

Ohle was represented by Stuart Abrams of Frankel & Abrams. Bradley was represented by Federal Defender Sarah J. Baumgartel.