D.C. Detective Is Convicted of Tax Evasion

A D.C. police homicide detective, credited with solving numerous high-profile cases during 18 years on the force, was convicted today of two counts of tax evasion.

Michael C. Irving, 43, had been on administrative leave since his indictment by a federal grand jury in April 2007. Prosecutors said he filed a 2002 tax return in which he claimed he made no money, and that he failed to file returns for the years 2003 through 2005.

The convictions followed a trial in U.S. District Court.

All told, prosecutors said, Irving should have paid more than $130,000 in federal and D.C. taxes. He avoided having a portion of his income held back for taxes by filing a form with the city that falsely claimed he was exempt from withholding, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said that Irving actually earned about $155,000 in 2002, $152,000 in 2003, $136,000 in 2004, and $181,000 in 2005. They said he used the money he saved on taxes to pay for custom-tailored suits, jewelry for his wife, Redskins tickets, and other items.

The Justice Department's tax division handled the case, aided by the IRS and D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue. In a statement, Eileen Mayer, chief of criminal investigations for the IRS, said, "It's deeply disappointing when anyone asked to enforce the law doesn't personally follow it."

Prosecutors had charged Irving with a total of nine counts. The jury found Irving not guilty on three of the charges, and was unable to reach a verdict on the remaining four counts. Judge Paul L. Friedman set a hearing for July 29 to determine how the case will proceed.

Defense attorney DeMaurice F. Smith said his client was "disappointed" in the jury's guilty verdicts and that various options are being considered, including the possibility of an appeal.

Before the tax troubles, Irving won praise from his colleagues and the U.S. attorney's office, particularly for his work solving a triple homicide in April 2003 at Colonel Brooks' Tavern in Northeast Washington and the killing of 8-year-old Chelsea Cromartie in May 2004.