Tax Crime Junkies
Hey there, Tax Crime Junkies! For those of you who are new to our show, Tax Crime Junkies is the true crime podcast that combines our love of taxes and crime, and we’re here to bring you the inside scoop on some of the most fascinating tax-related cases out there. As tax experts and practitioners ourselves, Dom and Tom are uniquely qualified to uncover the most intricate details of these cases, and we’re not afraid to go deep. We know the ins and outs of the tax system, and we’re passionate about bringing our knowledge to you, our devoted listeners. From embezzlement and fraud to money laundering and more, we’ve covered some of the most shocking tax crimes out there. We’ve talked to experts, lawyers, and even some of the criminals themselves to get a better understanding of what drives people to commit these crimes and how they get away with it for so long. But we’re not just here to entertain you with tales of tax crime. We’re also dedicated to educating our listeners about the importance of proper tax compliance and helping business owners avoid making costly mistakes that could land them in hot water with the IRS. So whether you’re a true crime buff, a tax professional, or just someone who wants to learn more about the seedy underbelly of the tax world, Tax Crime Junkies has something for you. So keep tuning in, keep spreading the word, and keep those five-star reviews coming! Thanks for listening!
Episodes
What happens when a man who built a $200 million business on lies tries to warn you about someone else’s fraud?
In this Tax Crime Junkies Fine Line Files special edition, Dominique sits down with Barry Minkow—the teenage mastermind behind ZZZZ Best, the ex-con-turned-pastor-turned-SEC informant—for a one-of-a-kind interview.
But this isn’t the redemption arc you might expect.
Instead, Dom gets a front-row seat to monologue filled w...
He was a teenage millionaire. A carpet-cleaning king. A Wall Street darling. Then, a convict. Then, a pastor. Then… a convict again.
In this jaw-dropping episode of Tax Crime Junkies, Dom and Tom unravel the unbelievable story of Barry Minkow, a man whose life has more plot twists than a Hollywood thriller (ironically, there is a Hollywood movie about him—he starred in it as himself).
We begin in Reseda, California, where 16-year-o...
Episode Summary:
After the rise and fall of San Diego real estate mogul Gina Champion-Cain—and her infamous $400 million Ponzi scheme—Dom is back with a solo deep dive into how these schemes actually work and, more importantly, how you can protect yourself from becoming the next victim. From fake escrow officers (looking at you, Wendy Reynolds) to catfishing crypto investors with “pig butchering” scams, this episode is your surviva...
In this gripping episode of Tax Crime Junkies, we dive deep into the rise and fall of Gina Champion-Cain, a woman who once enjoyed the high life of San Diego’s real estate elite—until she became the mastermind behind one of the most infamous Ponzi schemes in history.
Gina Champion-Cain, self-proclaimed “nice Catholic girl from Michigan,” made a name for herself in the real estate world, taking on high-profile projects and even earn...
What happens when the person sworn to protect your paycheck is secretly shopping for a yacht on the company dime?
In this episode of The Fine Line Files, Dom dives solo into the murky waters of leadership corruption—from union bosses with designer tastes to corporate execs who think “transparency” is a four-letter word. Building off the Tax Crime Junkies episode Blue Betrayal: How a Union Boss Went Rogue, this epis...
In this week’s episode of Tax Crime Junkies, we take you behind the badge into one of the most shocking scandals to hit the Massachusetts State Police union. Meet Dana Pullman, the union boss who turned SPAM (State Police Association of Massachusetts) into his personal piggy bank. From backdoor kickbacks to romantic getaways funded by union dues, Pullman’s crimes weren’t just a betrayal of his organization—they were a masterclass i...
Life insurance is meant to provide financial security for loved ones after a loss. But what happens when a policy becomes a motive for crime? In this episode of The Fine Line Files, we explore the dark world of life insurance fraud—from suspicious claims to staged deaths, foreign death fraud, and the murky legal landscape that insurers mu...
Doug Grant: Vitamins and Visions
Episode Summary:In this episode of Tax Crime Junkies, we unravel the case of Doug Grant—a once-prominent nutritionist and supplement mogul who built a thriving business advising top-tier athletes, including the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks. But beyond the world of vitamins and fitness, Grant’s life took a sinister turn when his wife, Faylene, died under mysterious circumstances. Was it a t...
Episode Summary: In this episode of The Fine Line Files, we pull back the curtain on the art of deception used by financial fraudsters to create the illusion of success. From lavish lifestyles to fake business ventures, scammers have long understood that the key to credibility is looking the part. But how do they pull it off? And more importantly—how can you spot the red flags before it's too late?
Join Dominique as she unpacks the...
💰 From “tiny classified ads” to a $52 million fraud, Don Lapre sold the American Dream—until it all came crashing down.
Episode SummaryDon Lapre built an empire on late-night infomercials, promising ordinary Americans the secrets to financial freedom. With high-energy pitches and over-the-top claims, he became a household name in the ‘90s, convincing thousands of people that wealth was just a phone call away.
But behind the slic...
Tax Crime Junkies | Episode 48 - Inside the IRS with Pietro Canestrelli (Part 2)
Show Notes:
Welcome back to Tax Crime Junkies for part two of our conversation with Pietro Canestrelli, a seasoned tax attorney with an insider’s view of the IRS. If you missed part one, make sure to go back and listen to Pietro’s jaw-dropping stories about life inside the IRS, quirky characters, and the inefficiencies that make this massive organizati...
Tax Crime Junkies | Episode 47 - Inside the IRS with Pietro Canestrelli (Part 1)
Show Notes:
In this thrilling episode of Tax Crime Junkies, we dive into the mind of Pietro Canestrelli, a seasoned tax attorney who has spent years navigating both the world of tax law and the inside of the IRS. From battling audits to understanding the inner workings of the IRS, Pietro brings a wealth of experience and colorful stories that will keep...
Episode Summary: In this solo episode of The Fine Line Files, Dominique Molina delves into one of the most fascinating—and misunderstood—corners of tax law: what kind of income is taxable? Spoiler alert: it’s all of it. From selling lemonade to smuggling contraband, the IRS doesn’t discriminate. Every dollar earned leaves a paper trail, and Dom unpacks the legal and ethical dilemmas that arise for tax professionals navigating these...
In this episode of The Fine Line Files, Dom delves into a critical yet often overlooked aspect of tax planning—verifying client claims and spotting red flags. Drawing lessons from the Mike Miske case, we explore how unchecked assumptions can lead to massive consequences for both clients and tax professionals.
Join as she discusses:
- The importance of professional skepticism in tax planning.
- Real-life examples of red flags that ...
In this gripping episode of Tax Crime Junkies, we delve into the dark underworld of Hawaii, where paradise meets corruption. We unravel the chilling story of Michael Miske, a once-prominent businessman whose empire of pest control, nightclubs, and fireworks concealed a criminal enterprise of racketeering, drug trafficking, tax fraud, and violence.
From fraudulent financial schemes to acts of intimidation, and even allegations of mu...
Episode Overview In this episode of The Fine Line Files, Dom and Tom take a deep dive into the world of internal controls—those invisible guardians of your organization that keep operations smooth, compliant, and secure. Using the jaw-dropping story of Sandy Jenkins as a cautionary tale, they explore why internal controls are not just about bureaucracy, but a critical tool fo...
In this episode of Tax Crime Junkies, Dom and Tom dive into one of the most extravagant cases of embezzlement in corporate history—featuring fruitcakes, private jets, and a $16 million theft that rocked a Texas institution.
Collin Street Bakery, famous for its iconic fruitcakes, became the epicenter of a financial scandal when longtime accountant Sandy Jenkins turned the company’s funds into his personal piggy bank. For nearly a de...
Episode Highlights:
- The Burden of Proof: Why taxpayers must prove their deductions.
- The Cohan Rule: How it works and its limitations.
- Carlos Arizaga’s Case: A real-life example of what happens without proper records.
- Practical Tips: How to document expenses, track cash payments, and avoid disallowed deductions.
Show Notes for The Fine Line Files: Management Companies – Smart Strategy or Tax Trap?
Episode Summary: In this debut episode of The Fine Line Files, Dominique Molina explores the use of management companies in tax planning. While these entities can be powerful tools for efficiency and strategic tax benefits, they can also become pitfalls if not managed correctly. Through real-life case studies, this episode uncovers where things c...
Description: When Sara Tokars was brutally murdered in front of her young children, the crime shocked the quiet suburban community of Cobb County, Georgia. What appeared to be a senseless act of violence unraveled into a chilling story of greed, betrayal, and murder-for-hire. At the center of it all was Fred Tokars, a well-known CPA, attorney, and former prosecutor with a dark side. In this episode, we uncover how Fred Tokars orche...
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