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Illinois Doctor Faces Prison for Tax Evasion Scheme

An Illinois physician from Lake Forest, Dr. Krishnaswami Sriram, has been sentenced to 34 months in prison after admitting to a comprehensive scheme involving healthcare fraud, asset concealment, and tax evasion. From 2011 to 2017, Dr. Sriram orchestrated this multifaceted deception, costing the U.S. government approximately $1.6 million in lost tax revenue. Earlier court documents from a 2007 case revealed a history of similar fraudulent practices.

According to the Department of Justice, Dr. Sriram engaged in various clandestine operations to evade taxes. One of his tactics involved transferring title of two rental properties to his children—without their consent—while continuing to collect the rental income. Such sham transfers are a common method to obscure real ownership and income sources.

Further, Sriram transferred approximately $700,000 from U.S. banks to financial institutions in India, complicating the traceability of his assets. When filing an "offer-in-compromise" with the IRS—which allows taxpayers to settle their debts for less than owed—Sriram failed to disclose numerous U.S. investment accounts and offshore assets in India, as well as his rental properties. These omissions falsely supported his claim of financial insolvency.

The actions of Dr. Sriram led to significant losses for the IRS, highlighting the essential role of transparency in financial disclosures, particularly when negotiating debt relief. His sentence reflects the severity of his actions and serves as a stern warning against abusing positions of trust in healthcare and employing complex financial maneuvers such as offshore transfers and fraudulent ownership schemes.

This case underscores the IRS's unwavering efforts, led by its Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) division, to dismantle fraudulent schemes that misrepresent financial standing to evade taxes.

As part of a broader federal crackdown on healthcare and tax fraud, from multi-million dollar Medicare scams to fraudulent refund schemes, law enforcement agencies persist in pursuing those exploiting the healthcare system and tax regulations.

Dr. Krishnaswami Sriram's sentencing is a sobering reminder that exploitation of medical and tax systems has dire consequences. His prison term sends a clear message: professionals engaging in fraudulent practices will be held accountable in the eyes of the law.

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