Former Big Law partner Eric Lenzen was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison after he admitted to not paying the IRS approximately $3.9 million in taxes and accrued penalties between 2016 and 2020.
Lenzen, who previously led Husch Blackwell’s financial services and capital markets group before moving to Dykema Gossett in 2022, pleaded guilty in April to two misdemeanor counts for willfully not paying tax on his income. According to the US, Lenzen spent extravagantly on private planes, jewelry, and golf club memberships while not paying his taxes during the period at issue.
Lenzen’s counsel didn’t immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
The US Department of Justice described Lenzen’s actions in a memo as “an extended course of conduct” where the attorney lied to IRS employees, moved around money to avoid paying tax, and spent to enjoy a lavish lifestyle.
“The clear pattern of defendant’s conduct over the years belies any notion that defendant’s failure to pay his taxes was the result of a mistake or a series of foolish, but good faith, expressions of hope” that he would be able to pay, the US sentencing memo said.
In addition to a 16-month prison term, Lenzen was sentenced to one year of supervised release. Magistrate Judge William E. Duffin didn’t finalize the required restitution.
Zetley Law Offices SC represents Lenzen.
The case is United States v. Lenzen, E.D. Wis., No. 2:24-cr-00090, sentencing held 10/15/24.
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