Thursday, April 24, 2014

Robaina tax trial heating up

The blog hasn't really covered this tax trial involving the former mayor and his wife before Judge Ungaro, but it looks like there have been quite a number of interesting moments -- like the couple's previous criminal defense lawyer testifying.  And yesterday, the mayor's wife testified.  From the Herald:

The wife of former Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina stood by her man Wednesday, taking the witness stand in the couple’s federal tax-evasion trial to say they did not cheat on their tax returns by hiding $2 million in income from the U.S. government.
Raiza Robaina, 40, said she was responsible for her family’s household finances and tax returns, including interacting with a certified public accountant who did their joint tax returns. She said that she and her husband relied on their accountant, Pelayo Vigil, for filing correct and accurate returns from 2005 to 2010 — the period covered in the couple’s conspiracy indictment.
The Robainas’ defense attorney, David Garvin, asked her whether there were mistakes on the couple’s tax returns.
“Yes, but they were just that — mistakes,” she testified.
Who made the mistakes? Garvin asked.
“The accountant that we trusted to give us the correct information,” she responded.
She then blurted out that the whole ordeal has been “upsetting” because when others make mistakes, nothing happens. “But when we make mistakes, we get indicted.”

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/04/23/4076606/robainas-wife-testifies-the-couple.html#storylink=cpy

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

My question to Mrs. Robaina would have been, "Mrs. Robaina, how many other people are making the mistake of failing to report $2M in income?"

Anonymous said...

Love how jay weaver puts quotes around pronouncements of defense attorneys and accused persons in the "neutral" articles where he "reports" the news, while spouting govt accusations as gospel .

Anonymous said...

For those of you keeping score at home, the obstruction enhancement is two points.

Anonymous said...

Can't give an enhancement if the jury says NG.

Anonymous said...

Ursula is going to launch her. Launch. And yes, weaver is terrible.

Anonymous said...

Not guilty it is!