Ex-Husband Offers Wife’s House and Kid’s Accounts to IRS

Dominick Cusumano, president of a home improvement company, has been labeled as "despicable, vindictive, vengeful and hateful" by Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Andrew A. Crecca, for allegedly trying to make his ex-wife, and children, pay a $1.6 million tax bill for his unreported income.

Cusumano faked his own business downturn while taking money from his children's bank accounts. He claims, to the New York Post, that the court is biased and that he is not an "ex-husband from hell."

Just before his divorce trial Cusumano suggested to the IRS that they take the house that his wife and kids were living in to pay off his debts. 

Though claiming to be poverty-stricken, Cusumano had been taking vacations in Palm Springs, purchasing luxury and all-terrain vehicles, a large boat and expensive clothing. The judge refused to make Cusumano's wife the liable party and the debt remains his to manage.

Crecca stated that Cusumano committed "clear and fraudulent conduct" when he failed to report more than $1.6 million in income to the IRS, while the couple and their four kids lived in a home worth $1.2 million.  Crecca also contended that they lived a lifestyle that most could only dream about. 

Cusumano told the IRS about his unreported income, that he earned between 2004 to 2007, during the divorce proceedings. Crecca report on July 16 read, "The sole motivation for the defendant's conduct was to prevent his wife of more than twenty years from receiving her equitable share of marital assets."

Crecca also found that Cusumano was "despicable" for stealing $14,000 from his own children, "an admitted liar," and "claims that he does not have enough money to live on, yet, within the last two years, has spent thousands on designer clothes, vacations and automobiles."

Steven Gassman, speaking on behalf of Mrs. Cusumano said, "His attempt to make his wife suffer - so she wouldn't have the home or have any money. In his desire to be revengeful to his wife, he was hurting the kids. I think it's reprehensible."

Cusumano is appealing the court's decision. 

He also claims that he did not tell the IRS about the debt just so that his ex-wife would lose her home. He did it only to avoid his own criminal arrest, "It was not for spite. It was just to stay out of jail."

He claims the only reason he took money from his children was to pay child support.

Cusumano contends that Judge Crecca's "mind was made up before we ever had a trial. There's a connection between her (Mrs. Cusumano) and the judge, somehow, somewhere."

A 90% drop in his income during his divorce, claims Cusumono, is due to the economy and he now has to live with his parents or girlfriend.  He said, "For nine or ten months, I had no business."

If you are facing divorce, contact a Family Law Attorney in your area to help you understand your rights.