Florida dentist indicted, accused of tax evasion

FLORIDA – An Ocala dentist has been charged with tax evasion, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida has announced.

Frantz Brignol has been charged with one count of tax evasion and one count of failing to file a tax return, said United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg. If convicted, Brignol faces up to six years in federal prison.

According to court records, despite successful dental practices in multiple counties, Brignol amassed almost $900,000 in tax liabilities to the IRS. Between approximately 2014 and 2020, Brignol reportedly evaded his tax payments by hiding hundreds of thousands of dollars in his mother’s bank accounts (for which he had signatory authority), trading funds overseas, and failing to disclose another bank account to the IRS.

According to the announcement, despite an annual income of more than $200,000 in the calendar year 2020, Brignol also failed to file an income tax return as required under federal law.

An indictment is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a federal criminal offense. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk.