TYCOON TAX CHEAT HALL OF FAME
A LONG LINE OF BIG-TIME TAX EVADERS PRECEDES ROBERT F. SMITH’S ADMISSION LAST YEAR OF STOWING $200 MILLION IN FOREIGN ACCOUNTS. DEPENDING ON THE OUTCOME OF BOB BROCKMAN’S TRIAL, HE COULD SOON TRUMP THEM ALL.
Walter Anderson
Telecom and spaceflight “astropreneur” pleaded guilty in 2006 of failing to report $365 million in income he diverted offshore. Recieved a nine-year prison sentence and was ordered to pay $23 million in restitution; he was released in 2012.
Leona Helmsley
Famously quipped, “We don’t pay taxes; only the little people pay taxes.” Sentenced to 16 years for writing off millions in home remodeling as a business expense. Died in 2007; left $12 million to her dog.
Igor Olenicoff
Russia-born developer behind California’s Olen Properties pleaded guilty in 2007 to hiding $200 million offshore. Escaped with just two years’ probation and a $52 million bill for taxes. Now 78 years old, he’s worth $4.3 billion.
Ty Warner
Beanie Babies mogul pleaded guilty to depositing a secret $80 million in a Swiss bank in 1996 and failing to report $24 million in income. Paid feds $70 million but avoided jail. Now 76, he’s worth $4 billion.
Sam and Charles Wyly
Brothers behind arts-and-crafts chain Michaels hid profits in offshore trusts. Nabbed by feds in 2010. Sam (left) settled for $500 million. Charles died in 2011; Sam, 86, lives in a Dallas old-folks’ home.