Two ClassicStar cases today from Judge Goeke, William G. Pederson and Jamie K. Pederson, 2013 T. C. Memo. 54, filed 2/20/13, and William T. Romanowski and Julie I. Romanowski, 2013 T. C. Memo. 55, filed 2/20/13.

For particulars of the ClassicStar scam, see my blogpost “Horsing Around?”, 8/15/11.

I therefore merely mention these cases, as they are cookie-cutter Section 183s, with same counsel for taxpayer and substantially similar facts in both. Romanowski dodges the penalties based on good faith reliance, but Pederson knows too much and thereby gets nailed.

Romanowski was a long-time NFL linebacker with Niners, Eagles, Broncs and Raiders over 16 years in the bigs, but taxes weren’t his thing.

The sad part of Romanowski is how his attorney, the “tax guru” at a highly-regarded law firm, was getting backhanders from ClassicStar while supposedly representing Romanowski. He denied it, but Judge Goeke wasn’t buying it.