Former Lawyer Charged With Failure To Pay Taxes

Ocala, Florida - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Michael Brady Scoma (51, Clermont) has been charged by information with three counts of failure to pay taxes. If convicted, Scoma faces up to three years in federal prison.

According to court records, Scoma is a former personal injury lawyer. Between 2013 and 2019, he reported his income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Based on his reported income, Scoma owed the IRS $702,341.76 in tax liabilities. After the IRS unsuccessfully attempted to collect the outstanding amount from him multiple times, Scoma agreed to refinance his home and use the proceeds to pay his tax liabilities. Once Scoma completed the refinancing, however, he used the resulting $800,000 for personal expenses, including gambling, instead of paying his tax liabilities.

An information is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a federal criminal offense. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the IRS - Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk.