A Florida dentist who traded “gentle” care for financial trickery will spend two years in prison and cough up nearly $900,000 to the IRS, federal prosecutors announced recently.
Frantz Brignol, owner of “Your Gentle Dentist” in Altamonte Springs, pleaded guilty to tax evasion and failing to file tax returns after hiding money in his mother’s accounts to avoid paying his dues. This crafty scheme, spanning from 2014 to 2020, ultimately landed him on the wrong side of the law.
Brignol’s financial gymnastics involved depositing cash into his mother’s bank accounts, trading money overseas in her name, and even providing false information to the IRS. The scheme unraveled in April when Brignol pleaded guilty to the charges, only to attempt a change of heart two weeks later. His plea withdrawal was granted, but a jury in August ultimately saw through his attempts and delivered a guilty verdict.
“Dr. Brignol exploited his elderly mother as a nominee and lied to the IRS about his assets, all to avoid paying his fair share of taxes,” stated Tara K. Reed, the IRS Criminal Investigation special agent in charge. This act of deceit, not so gently dealt with by the court, left Brignol facing a two-year sentence and a hefty $896,588.89 penalty for his federal income tax evasion.
While Brignol’s defense attorney did not respond to requests for comment, the consequences of his actions speak for themselves. This case serves as a stark reminder that attempting to outsmart the IRS can land you in hot water, even if you claim to offer gentle dental care. As the judge gavelled down on Brignol’s sentence, it became clear that sometimes, the sweetest smiles hide the bitterest financial realities.
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