By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell Book
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Jan 26 – Todd Kozel, making millions for oil field in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, failed to file U.S. taxes from 2011 to 2015, cheating the IRS and other taxpayers out of $20 million.
On January 25, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Kimba M. Woods held his sentencing, until 1:30 pm. Inner City Press covered it and publishes this first report at 1:40 pm.
Kozel was the founder of London-listed oil company Gulf Keystone.
Kozel's father spoke, how he was supporting his son since he has no money.
Then the Assistant US Attorney asked to cross-examine the father, and asking him if he owned a house in Naples, Florida, and why he never gave his son any money for the back taxes.
I wasn't asked, the father replied.
Kozel's lawyer, citing COVID, wanted a year and a day, to be served at home.
But Judge Woods said the crime hurt the entire society and, to prove, has required the use of MLATs.
She sentenced Kozel to 60 months (five years) to start on February 25.
The government spoke of the danger of flight, saying Kozel has connections in Lebanon, Switzerland, the UK and Lithuania, and citing Marc Rich and Switzerland.
The case is US v. Kozel, 19-cr-460 (Woods).
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