SAN DIEGO, California ( MyCaliforniaNews.com ) — Wahead Raz, a business owner, admitted in federal court to bribing an IRS officer with $35,000 to erase his $500,000 tax debt. The bribery attempt was reported by the IRS officer, leading to an undercover operation.
On July 23, 2024, Raz offered the bribe during a meeting at the San Diego IRS office, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The IRS officer immediately reported the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and participated in a sting operation to document Raz’s actions.
“Attempting to bribe an IRS officer is not just a terrible idea—it’s a federal crime,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “Not surprisingly, the integrity of the IRS held firm, ensuring this defendant will be accountable for both his unpaid taxes and attempting to undermine the system.”
On July 24, 2024, TIGTA recorded a meeting where Raz suggested paying in cash to avoid detection. The following day, during a recorded phone call, Raz negotiated the bribe amount, initially offering $20,000 before agreeing to $30,000, with $10,000 upfront and the remainder upon clearing his debt.