Portland Tax Attorney Pleads Guilty to Federal Tax Fraud

A Portland tax attorney has pleaded guilty to filling out false tax forms on his own behalf.

Steven Cyr, who runs Legal Representation LLC on Southwest Scholls Ferry Road, was indicted on two felony counts of fraud and false statements for claims he made on his 2006 and 2007 income taxes.

Investigators said that Cyr "well knew and believed” his business expenses in those years were “substantially less” than what he said they were.

In April 2007, the indictment shows, Cyr filled out his 2006 1040 personal income tax form claiming his business cost him $524,678. The next year, he filled out his 1040 to say his expenses were $408,767. The indictment, signed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Bounds, says those figures are false.

In a plea deal, Cyr pleaded guilty Oct. 23 to one felony count of fraud. His sentencing before U.S. District Court Judge Michael Mosman, is set for Feb. 5, 2014. Cyr remains on pretrial release till his sentencing. 

Cyr also taught classes at Portland Community College; the last time the school says he led a class was in 1998. A Oregon State Bar spokeswoman did not immediately return a request for comment.