Barrister disbarred for tax fraud

The barrister had served more than three years in prison after avoiding paying £274,000 (about $447,000) in taxes.

A British barrister who was previously jailed three years for tax fraud has been disbarred.
 
According to The Law Society Gazette, a disciplinary tribunal handed down the order on October 28 in relation to the barrister’s offense of dodging £274,000 (about $447,000) in taxes.
 
Roberts, who previously worked for New Square Chambers before setting up his own practice, had admitted to tax fraud.
 
He was arrested in 2012 and convicted in 2014 for making a false statutory declaration and failing to declare his earnings or pay income tax, national insurance and VAT, the publication notes.
 
Roberts let New Square Chambers in 2007 and established his own practice specialising in insolvency.
 
In 2008, he was declared bankrupt and had more than £700,000 in unpaid taxes.
 
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs was under the impression that Roberts then retired but the former barrister kept on practicing, pocketing money he should have paid in taxes.
 
When the agency was investigating in 2012, they found that Roberts was still practicing and even had a website that advertised he was available for “instructions in all areas.”
 
The former barrister initially denied he was practicing and claimed he was retired and was just the secretary of a cricket club.
 
 
A subsequent search of his premises yielded bank accounts and computer records that led to his conviction.
 
Roberts was sentenced to three years for tax fraud and six months for perjury.
 

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