PROVIDENCE, RI—William L’Europa, 47, of Cranston, co-operator of McCauley and L’Europa Public Adjusters LLC and PIA Restoration LLC, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Providence to federal charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States government and filing false tax returns.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi, L’Europa admitted that he underreported business receipts for tax years 2007-2010 by nearly $1.8 million dollars, resulting in the underpayment of federal taxes to the Internal Revenue Service of more than $500,000. L’Europa is scheduled to be sentenced on December 20, 2012.
L’Europa’s guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Office of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-Criminal Investigation; Richard Deslauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Field Office; Guy N. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Boston Field Office; and Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.
A change-of-plea hearing for John J. McCauley, Jr., 54, of Cranston, a co-defendant in this matter, is scheduled to be held on Friday. Mr. McCauley is charged in an information with one count each of conspiracy to defraud the United States government and filing false tax returns. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf during an arraignment hearing on September 19, 2012.
An information is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
According to signed plea agreements filed with the court, McCauley and L’Europa must file accurate, amended federal tax returns for tax years 2007-2011.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys William J. Ferland and Sandra R. Hebert.
The matter was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation, FBI, ATF, Rhode Island State Police, and the Providence Fire Department Fire Prevention Division.
