EFTA00270347.pdf

FD-1057 (12cv. 5-8-10) (Overall Document Classification Required) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Electronic Communication Title: (U//FOLIO) INTERVIEW RE;AUSA ROBIN HAHNERT Drafted By: Missing Case ID #: 72-MM-NEW Details: 7 conducted by Assistant United States Attorney Office, 303 Marconi Boulevard, Columbus, Date: 01/10/2019 (U) RODRIGUEZ, ALFREDO - SEE SUB was interviewed telephonically regarding Arthur Shapiro. advised that Shapiro was a target of a tax fraud case being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's office. Specifically, the case was an administrative case investigated by the IRS, whereby fraudulent or bogus tax shelters were created. Shapiro was an attorney, and Berry Kessler was an accountant and co-defendant in the case. Prior to 1111111 Shapiro'S death, Shapiro, his attorney, and had agreed to a negotiated lea agreement whereby Shapiro was to p ead guilty to tax fraud, could not recall if Shapiro's cooperation against co- defendants was a condition of his plea agreement. Shapiro was killed prior to him entering a guilty plea in the case. Co-defendant Kessler eventually pled guilty to the tax fraud. Attorney John Zonack (phonetic) represented Berry Kessler in the tax case, and investigation was on October 26, 2010. U.S. Attorney's Ohio, telephone, Mn informed Zonack of Shapiro's intention to plead guilty prior to Shapiro's death. was unfamiliar with the specifics of Shapiro's murder and was not involved in the case but and many in the Columbus area suspected Kessler of the murder. was unsure if there was a third co-defendant in the tax fraud case. .• (Overall Document Classification Required) EFTA00270347