John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that JENNIFER O’BRIEN, 51, of South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to failing to file federal tax returns.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2012 and 2014, O’Brien served as Power of Attorney for her mother and had control over funds intended for her mother’s benefit. At the time, O’Brien was known as Jennifer Brokaw and resided with her mother in Hebron, Connecticut. While O’Brien used some of her mother’s money for her mother’s benefit, she misappropriated more than $510,000 for her own use. She also failed to file federal income tax returns for the 2012, 2013 and 2014 tax years, resulting in a loss of $139,007 to the IRS.
O’Brien pleaded guilty to three counts of willful failure to file tax returns, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of one year on each count. O’Brien also will be required to cooperate with the IRS to pay all back taxes, interest and penalties.
O’Brien is released pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.
This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Laraia.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
