Chaim Deutsch, a member of the City Council known to many of our readers, found himself in an unpleasant situation. He pleaded guilty to evading federal taxes in the amount of $ 82,000 in 2015.The Brooklyn lawmaker owes money to the IRS for income received from his property management firm Chasa Management, Inc.
Haim Deutsch, 52, has been on the City Council since 2014. He represents several areas of South Brooklyn, including Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, Midwood, Sheepshead Bay.
“In his elective office and as a community leader, Deutsch has been given a special responsibility to comply with the law,” said Federal Attorney Audrey Strauss. “Instead, for a long time, he hid his true income to avoid paying taxes.”
The deputy faces up to a year in prison and a fine of $ 100 thousand. He agreed to pay his debt $ 82 thousand, plus interest. The verdict in his case will be delivered on July 29.
City Council Speaker Corey Johnson immediately relieved Deutsch of the Legislature’s committees. He is prohibited from using his personal deputy fund, from which grants for community needs and special projects in his constituency are issued at the discretion of the legislator.
“No one is above the law, including a City Council member,” Johnson said after learning of the accusations against Haim Deutsch. “If what I have read is true, this is very disturbing news.”
According to the City Council rules, Deutsch cannot be automatically deprived of his powers. But the speaker expressed hope that the deputy will leave himself, voluntarily.
“I have no idea how he can continue to fulfill his duties after confessing to a serious federal crime,” Johnson said.
Newspaper headline:
No one is above the law
