A former attorney from New York is being charged with one count of falsification of bankruptcy records and one count of false oaths and claims in bankruptcy.
John Roesser, 52, is accused of abusing the bankruptcy system by making false statements under penalty of perjury and submitting falsified record, according to a March 28 news release shared by FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge Michael J. Driscoll and U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
“Bankruptcy is a lifeline for many people who need its protections to keep their lives together," Williams said in the release. "The defendant allegedly corrupted and degraded a system that helps so many. As alleged, he manipulated the bankruptcy system by lying and falsifying bank records so that he could use its protections to keep his assets and to avoid paying his bills."
After serving as a partner in prestigious law firms for years, by February 2022, Roesser filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after owing the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) millions of dollars in back taxes, the release reported. In order to obtain bankruptcy protections and maintain his assets, including a multi-million dollar home and an Aston Martin sports car, while not paying his debts, Roesser repeatedly lied to the Bankruptcy Court and the IRS about his alleged receipt of millions of dollars.
"He should have known better — he used to be a lawyer," Williams added, according to the release. "This office will always bring to justice those who use their status to abuse the public’s trust and to try to put themselves above the law."
Roesser was recently detained in Bronxville, N.Y., and was scheduled to appear in federal court in Manhattan later in the day March 28, the release reported.
“As alleged, Roesser committed bankruptcy fraud when he lied to both the bankruptcy court and the IRS about his receipt of millions of dollars so he could retain his assets – which included a multi-million-dollar residence and a luxury sports car – while avoiding paying his bills,” Driscoll said in the release.
Roesser faces one count of falsification of records in bankruptcy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of false oaths and claims in bankruptcy, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, the release reported.
