On Jan. 30, a federal jury in Atlanta found gold and precious metals dealer Saleem Hakim, 54, guilty of tax evasion and failing to file tax returns.
According to a Justice Department statement about the verdict, Hakim earned more than $1 million from 2011 to 2013 brokering sales of gold and other precious metals for his clients but didn’t file any tax returns for those years.
The government said Hakim also didn’t file tax returns from 2020 to 2022, during which time he and his wife allegedly earned more than $250,000 working for Atlanta businesses that dealt in jewelry and luxury handbags. It offered evidence that Hakim hid the couple’s income from the Internal Revenue Service by diverting funds into a trust he established after being charged with the 2011–2013 tax crimes.
Prosecutors said Hakim attempted to obstruct the tax investigation by having a witness draft a letter—later sent to the government—falsely stating he didn’t have any business records in his possession relating to the Hakims.
The indictment against Hakim was filed last November. His sentencing is scheduled for April 30, and he faces up to five years in prison for each tax evasion charge and one year on each charge of failing to file.
His lawyer could not be reached for comment.
(Photo: Getty Images)
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