Wildwood, NJ, Mayor Admits Assisting in Preparation of Fraudulent Tax Returns

Federal authorities say the mayor of Wildwood has admitted that he aided and assisted in the preparation and presentation of false and fraudulent tax returns.

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U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger's office says 67-year-old Peter J. Byron pleaded guilty in Camden federal court on Friday to two counts of willfully aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of fraudulent tax returns to the IRS for calendar years 2017 and 2018.

According to court documents,

From January 2017 through December 2018, Byron served as a commissioner for the city of Wildwood, in charge of the Revenue and Finance departments. From June through August of 2017, Byron sent multiple emails to the managing partner of a law firm located in Gloucester County, seeking assistance in obtaining a job. Byron received a letter in October 2017 on the letterhead of the managing partner’s law firm which purported to set forth an employment offer to Byron from a company. According to the terms of the October 2017 letter, Byron was to receive an annual salary from the company for working as a salesman.

Sellinger says from October 2017 through September 2018, Byron received $40,425 in payments from that company. He did not report this income on his tax returns for calendar years 2017 and 2018.

The tax charges each carry up to three years in prison and, potentially, a $250,000 fine.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 2nd.