United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

NEW YORK WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO TAX FRAUD

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROSEMARIE D. BRIA, age 45, formerly of Greenwich, Connecticut and currently of New York, New York, pleaded guilty today to a one-count Information charging her with making and subscribing a false estate tax return. BRIA's plea was accepted by United States Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in federal court in Hartford.

In proceedings today before Magistrate Judge Martinez, BRIA, who administered her deceased mother's estate, admitted that on or about February 10, 1998, she willfully made and subscribed a Form 706 U.S. Estate Tax Return for tax year 1997 and purposely omitted assets that she knew should have been included as assets of the estate. BRIA further admitted that she failed to pay more than $137,000 in estate taxes.

"It is every citizen's obligation to honestly report and pay taxes," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated. "Those who attempt to hide assets and cheat on their taxes cheat their fellow citizens. Such conduct will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted."

BRIA faces a possible term of imprisonment of up to three years, a term of supervised release of up to one year and a fine of up to $250,000 when she is sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Chatigny on July 26, 2004.

This case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James I. Glasser.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov