Convicted tax cheat files for bankruptcy

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - The Cranston man who was sentenced to serve 27 months in federal prison for filing false tax returns and conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government has filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, WPRI.com has learned.

In court documents filed Tuesday, William L’Europa listed only Coastway Credit Union, which has first position on a $508,500 mortgage, as a secured creditor. He has seven days to list the rest of his creditors and 14 days to complete his application.

Last year, L’Europa and former State Rep. John McCauley admitted to cheating the IRS out of more than $500,000 by underreporting $1.8 million in business receipts between 2007 and 2010.

McCauley began serving his 27-month sentence at Fort Devens, a medium security prison in Massachusetts.

Dan McGowan ( dmcgowan@wpri.com ) covers politics and the city of Providence for WPRI.com. Follow him on Twitter: @danmcgowan