Brooklyn Councilman Chaim Deutsch was booted from office after pleading guilty to tax fraud last Thursday.
Just last week, attorneys representing the now former councilman said he’d hope to complete his elected term. However, Councilman Speaker Corey Johnson said he is no longer a part of the City Council.
Councilman Johnson released a statement saying in part, “Based on our review of the charging document and Mr. Chaim Deutsch’s plea agreement, the Council has concluded that the office of the 48th Council District has been vacated under the operation of law. Mr. Deutsch confessed to a crime and violated his oath of office.”
Councilman Chaim Deutsch’s removal from office comes after he admitted to filing a false tax return.
The former councilman owes over $80,000 in back taxes and could now see a penalty of up to a year in prison.
Prosecutors say the tax fraud charge was related to income from the former councilmember’s real estate business--adding that over a multiyear period, he hid his actual income to avoid paying the correct amount he hears of an elected official breaking the law.
His sentencing is scheduled for July 29.