Chicago area man pleads guilty in state’s largest-ever tax evasion case

CHICAGO - A South Barrington man pleaded guilty to a long-term tax evasion scheme in which he underreported more than $104 million.

Sam Cirrincione, 60, was sentenced to four years in prison for his guilty plea to a felony charge of continuing a financial crimes enterprise, according to a news release from the Illinois Department of Revenue.

Officials said the $104 million in underreported gross receipts was the largest amount ever discovered in a sales tax evasion case in the state’s history.

Cirrincione will have to pay about $10.5 million to the state in restitution.

"Those who evade paying their required taxes harm the great majority of taxpayers who pay what is owed and pay on time," said IDOR Director David Harris, in a statement. "As a protection to all taxpayers the department will remain vigilant in pursuing those who break the law and try to avoid paying required taxes."

Cirrincione was indicted in 2022 for theft of over $100,000, sales tax evasion, filing a fraudulent sales tax return, forgery, and income tax fraud among other charges.