Ex-BigLaw partner hit with prison time, $4.2M restitution order in tax case

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Ex-BigLaw companion hit with jail time, $4.2M…

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Ex-BigLaw companion hit with jail time, $4.2M restitution order in tax case

By Debra Cassens Weiss

October 18, 2024, 9:35 am CDT

A former companion at Husch Blackwell and Dykema Gossett has been sentenced to 16 months in federal jail after pleading responsible to 2 misdemeanors for failing to pay $2.46 million in taxes.

Eric E. Lenzen, 44, was sentenced to jail Tuesday and ordered to pay whole restitution of $4.2 million to the Inner Income Service, in accordance with an Oct. 16 judgment. The quantity represents unpaid taxes plus penalties and curiosity.

U.S. Justice of the Peace Decide William E. Duffin of the Japanese District of Wisconsin mentioned throughout sentencing Lenzen’s conduct was “exceptionally aggravated,” and he tried to “thwart the federal government’s makes an attempt to recuperate” the cash, in accordance with an Oct. 16 press launch from the U.S. Division of Justice.

Reuters, Law360 and Bloomberg Regulation have protection.

An Oct. 8 authorities sentencing memorandum mentioned Lenzen was “a high-powered, extremely compensated lawyer” who “made a selection to not pay his taxes.” Regardless of being given years to pay up, Lenzen “made a mess of false representations and took vital actions to keep away from paying his taxes,” the memo mentioned.

Whereas refusing to pay his taxes, Lenzen spent practically $1.5 million on a “lavish life-style” that included non-public planes, jewellery, dwelling reworking and golf membership memberships, the federal government mentioned. Whereas making guarantees to pay, Lenzen transferred a whole bunch of 1000’s of {dollars} between accounts or to 3rd events, the memo asserted.

Lenzen’s crimes “have been motivated by greed, not want,” the memo mentioned.