Plainfield man with prior federal conviction pleads guilty to tax evasion

Date: Sept. 18, 2026

Contact: newsroom@ci.irs.gov

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that William Lavimoniere of Plainfield waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to tax evasion.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on Oct. 10, 2012, Lavimoniere was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 33 months of imprisonment for fraud and tax offenses stemming from his embezzlement of more than $348,000 from a non-profit corporation that served Connecticut adults and students who have disabilities. In November 2012, Lavimoniere divorced his wife to transfer assets, including their residence, to her to avoid collection by the IRS. Lavimoniere was released from federal prison in April 2015.

For the 2008 through 2011 tax years, Lavimoniere had an outstanding tax assessment balance of $213,267, not including penalties and interest. Lavimoniere only paid approximately $7,007 toward the assessment. In December 2023, the IRS ceased civil collection of the outstanding assessment because the collection statute expired.

After Lavimoniere was released from prison, he operated a trucking and furniture installation business named WJL Handling LLC (“WJL”). For the 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023, and 2024 tax years, Lavimoniere earned substantial income from WJL but willfully failed to file federal tax returns. For the 2019 through 2022 tax years, Lavimoniere filed tax returns that underreported income from WJL. Lavimoniere made significant structured cash withdrawals to avoid financial reporting thresholds, paid his employees “under the table,” and used his business bank account to pay personal expenses. He also continued to live in his former residence with his ex-wife and deposited cash into her bank account, which she then used to pay the mortgage and other household expenses.

The government has calculated that Lavimoniere owes $246,417 in restitution to the IRS, and Lavimoniere has agreed to cooperate with the IRS to pay all outstanding taxes, interest, and penalties.

Tax evasion carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

Lavimoniere is released on a $75,000 bond pending sentencing, which is scheduled for Dec. 9.

This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather L. Cherry.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

IRS-CI is the law enforcement arm of the IRS, responsible for conducting financial crime investigations, including tax fraud, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, public corruption, healthcare fraud, identity theft and more. It is the only federal law enforcement agency with investigative jurisdiction over violations of the Internal Revenue Code. IRS-CI has 16 field offices located across the U.S. and maintains an international presence through attaché posts abroad.