Tax fraud charges filed against northern Indiana businessman who blames IRS for wife’s suicide

Tax charges against Ind. man who sued over suicide

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Federal prosecutors have filed tax fraud charges against an Indiana businessman who blames an Internal Revenue Service investigation for his wife’s suicide.

The indictment against James Simon of Huntertown was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in South Bend. It accuses Simon or his family of receiving nearly $1.8 million from overseas businesses but not reporting it as income.

Defense attorney Anthony LaSpada says Simon is innocent and has been put through an ordeal by the government.

Simon sued the federal government in February over his wife’s suicide three days after IRS agents raided their home in 2007.

The Journal Gazette of Fort Wayne reports Simon has been involved in telecommunications and satellite companies over the past 15 years.

Information from: The Journal Gazette, www.journalgazette.net