NEWARK, NJ – John Constantino, a 67-year-old from Ridgewood, New Jersey, faces charges for tax evasion and failing to file tax returns, announced U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger. The indictment includes six counts of tax evasion and 12 counts of failure to file tax returns against the owner of a fireproofing and painting company.
Documents and court statements reveal that Constantino, who has been in business since at least 1989, failed to report income for both his company and himself from 2017 to 2022. This omission resulted in $682,735 in unpaid taxes. Constantino is accused of taking steps to conceal income and assets, such as cashing $13 million worth of company checks at a check cashing facility and structuring bank deposits to avoid detection by the U.S. Department of Treasury.
The charges for tax evasion could lead to a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $100,000 fine per count, while the failure to file tax returns could result in up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine for each count. The investigation, led by IRS-Criminal Investigation under Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins, underscores the serious consequences of tax crimes.