A former tax lawyer who represented superstar DJs Tiësto and Afrojack has pleaded guilty to fraud after allegedly helping clients hide millions in offshore income.
Tax Evasion Scheme Uncovered
Frank Butselaar, 66, a former shareholder at the Amsterdam office of a major U.S.-based law firm, advised high-profile clients, including international fashion models, on offshore tax schemes. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, Butselaar filed false tax returns and collaborated with a U.S.-based management firm to evade taxes.
How the Scheme Worked
Prosecutors revealed that Butselaar used nominee owners to disguise offshore accounts, making it appear as though the funds belonged to non-U.S. residents, often family members. Despite these paper transactions, his clients still accessed the funds without reporting them to the IRS.
Ignoring Warnings
At least six CPAs and tax attorneys warned Butselaar that offshore income needed to be reported. Despite these warnings, he and his co-conspirators failed to disclose over $70 million in taxable U.S. income for Tiësto and Afrojack between 2012 and 2017.