Ex-Commissioner's Husband Sentenced For Tax Evasion
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) - The husband of former Broward Commissioner Diana Wasserman-Rubin was sentenced to 10 months in prison on Wednesday for tax evasion.
Sixty five year Richard Rubin, who pleaded guilty, was also ordered to serve three years probation and pay $104,671.08 in restitution.
According court documents, Rubin willfully failed to report real estate commissions that he had received from the sale of a property described at the "Sunny Lakes" property and the sale of a condominium in Hollywood on his federal tax return.
At the closing on the Sunny Lakes property, Rubin received a sales commission of $102,000 was paid to another real estate broker who, in January 2005, funneled it back to Rubin.
Defendant Rubin also received a $6 thousand plus commission as the real estate agent for the sale of a condominium in Hollywood. Again, Rubin paid his commission to another real estate broker who funneled it back to him.
Last July, Rubin's wife resigned her post on the commission shortly before she was charged with seven counts of unlawful compensation.
According to investigators, Wasserman-Rubin voted at least 15 times to support of fund grants prepared by her husband on behalf of the Town of Southwest Ranches. In addition to his normal compensation, Rubin reportedly received three $15,000 bonuses for his work on successful grants that were supported by his wife.
Under Florida law, elected officials are not allowed to vote on matters that could benefit them or their spouse.
