TAMPA — A 37-year-old Miami man pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return and agreed to pay the IRS more than $34 million in restitution after prosecutors said he used a U.S. Virgin Islands shell arrangement to hide tens of millions in income over three years.
Daniel Liburdi faces a maximum of three years in federal prison after admitting he misreported income on his 2021, 2022 and 2023 tax returns. Beyond the $34,846,381 in restitution, Liburdi agreed to the civil forfeiture of three real properties in Miami Beach and the U.S. Virgin Islands valued collectively at approximately $37,500,000; two Ferraris and one Land Rover Range Rover valued at approximately $1,127,000; and the contents of several financial accounts totaling $414,508.49.
“Liburdi’s actions represent a flagrant disregard for our nation’s tax laws as he engaged in a deliberate scheme to evade taxes, defraud the U.S. Treasury, and exploit public coffers for his personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe, who announced the case. “Our office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to combat fraud and ensure that those who violate federal laws are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
According to court documents, Liburdi falsely stated on his 2023 tax return that business income was sourced by a U.S. Virgin Islands-based entity rather than U.S.-based entities that had actually generated the income. The false statement allowed Liburdi to claim EDC Beneficiary exclusions on income that did not qualify, resulting in nearly $10 million in misreported tax on that single return. His 2021 and 2022 returns produced an additional tax loss to the government of over $24 million.
“This defendant earned tens of millions of dollars in income and then devised an elaborate scheme to not pay taxes,” said Ron Loecker, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation, Florida Field Office. “This case demonstrates that high net-worth individuals, like all Americans, are held accountable for filing false documents with the IRS, and IRS Special Agents will join forces with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who choose similar paths.”
Homeland Security Investigations Tampa Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael S. Calvo called the prosecution a product of cross-agency cooperation. “Fraud of this magnitude is not a victimless crime — it undermines public trust, harms honest taxpayers, and threatens the integrity of our financial systems,” Calvo said. “Combating fraud and tax evasion requires unwavering commitment and collaboration across agencies, and no single organization can tackle these complex crimes alone.”
The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations, with additional assistance from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Ross Roberts and Whitney Mackay are prosecuting the case, with Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky handling the forfeiture. Kehoe said the action is part of President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance. The Department of Justice announced the creation of its National Fraud Enforcement Division on April 7 to support that mission.
Liburdi’s sentencing is set for Aug. 18 in federal court in Tampa.