An Anchorage plastic surgeon was found guilty of wire fraud and tax evasion after prosecutors say he hid millions of dollars from his then-wife in Central America.
A federal jury in Anchorage convicted 67-year-old Michael Brandner with four counts of wire fraud and three counts of tax evasion Wednesday.
After his wife filed for a divorce in 2007, Brandner collected millions in marital assets. In Costa Rica, he opened two bank accounts, deposited more than $350,000 in cash and hid 1,000 ounces of gold in a safe deposit box. Then, Brandner went to Panama, where the doctor created an account under the name of a fake corporation and deposited $4.6 million, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Alaska.
Brandner covered up the existence of the accounts — and the interest he earned — from the court in divorce proceedings and from the Internal Revenue Service, prosecutors say. For the 2008 to 2010 tax years, he owed the IRS an additional $600,000 in taxes.
In 2011 — once the divorce was final — Brandner brought the money back to the US. Federal agents, however, seized the funds. Brandner then lied to authorities about his control of the funds, the U.S. Attorney’s Office says.
“Let this case serve as a warning that the use of offshore schemes and other tax scams to evade tax and other lawful obligations will not be tolerated,” said Special Agent Teri Alexander.
Brandner faces up to 95 years in prison and a fine up to $1.75 million.
