Hudson Valley Pizzeria Owner Evaded Nearly $1 Million in Taxes
A six-time world champion who recently began sharing his delicious meals with the Hudson Valley admitted he evaded nearly $1 million in taxes.
In District of Connecticut Court, 49-year-old Bruno DiFabio pleaded guilty to conspiracy to file false income tax returns and payroll tax returns.
DiFabio, a six-time pizza making champion, recently opened up Pizza Union in Newburgh. He also has ownership interests in Amore Pizza in Scarsdale, Pinocchio Pizza in Pound Ridge and a number of restaurants in Connecticut.
According to court documents and statements made in court, DiFabio and others removed cash from cash register's so the money wasn't deposited into the restaurant’s bank account. The businesses outside bookkeeper and accountant used the bank records to determine business gross receipts.
Cash that was removed from the register and not deposited into the business bank account wasn't reported to the IRS.
DiFabio also knew that some employees had their wages paid in cash and that a certain number of the employees were paid either a portion or the entirety of their wages “off the books,” officials say.
DiFabio confessed he evaded $816,954 in income and employment taxes between 2013 and 2015.
He faces up to five years in a prison, a fine of up to approximately $1.6 million and full restitution to the IRS. He was released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing, which is not yet scheduled.
In September, DiFabio’s business partner in some of his restaurants, Steven Cioffi, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the filing of a false tax return.