GN tax lawyer charged in $135K fraud scheme

Dan Glaun

A Great Neck man who works as a tax lawyer and accountant has been charged with the theft of more than $135,000 in taxes from the state following an investigation by the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.

William McCoy, 50, the owner of the Uniondale-based consulting firm McCoy Consulting, is accused of taking tax money withheld from his employees’ paychecks for himself rather than properly paying the state Department of Taxation and Finance. 

McCoy was charged with grand larceny and criminal tax fraud, and pled not guilty at his Feb. 13 arraignment in Nassau County Criminal Court.

The missing funds were allegedly discovered by the state Department of Taxation and Finance and reported for investigation to the DA, according to a press release from the District Attorney’s office.

“Tax revenue pays for our schools, infrastructure, and countless services that affect the lives of millions of New Yorkers, and those who steal that money victimize every one of us,” said District Attorney Kathleen Rice in the press release. “I will continue to work with state agencies to investigate, arrest, and prosecute tax cheats and ensure that everyone pays their fair share.”

Rice’s office alleges that McCoy stole more than $135,000 from 2005 through 2011 by taking tax withholdings from as many as 24 employees, depending on the tax year.

McCoy faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted, according to the release.

“The defendant, who has practiced as a tax consultant, must have known he was breaking the law, and now must pay the price for doing so,” said Thomas H. Mattox, commissioner of the state Department of Taxation and Finance in the release. “That’s why I commend Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice and her team for aggressive prosecuting this case.”

McCoy, who according to the biography on his firm’s Web site has worked for decades in the professional services industry, worked in the corporate and tax divisions of PriceWaterhouse prior to founding McCoy Consulting. 

His firm describes itself as “a full-service consulting firm based in Long Island, New York providing tax, legal, financial and managerial advisory solutions designed for progressive organizations of the 21st century.”

McCoy is being represented by attorneys Peter Tomao and Michael Annibale, and will appear in court again Feb. 27.

Reach reporter Dan Glaun by e-mail at dglaun@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x203. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow1 and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.

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