Judge Rejects Billionaire Saylor’s Appeal to Dismiss Tax Evasion Charges

• Michael Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy, has had his appeal against tax evasion charges rejected by Judge Yvonne Williams.
• The D.C. Attorney General brought the case against Saylor for failing to pay city income taxes between 2005 and 2021 while living a playboy lifestyle in the city.
• Judge Williams dismissed more than half of the case but allowed part of the claim relating to $25m in unpaid taxes, alongside interest and penalties, to continue.

Michael Saylor’s Tax Evasion Charges

In April 2021, whistle-blowers alleged that former MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor was avoiding tax in the District of Columbia (D.C) by pretending to be resident in Florida. Former D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine brought the case against Saylor based on these allegations, claiming he failed to pay city income taxes between 2005 and 2021 while living a playboy lifestyle in the city.

Whistles Blown on Saylor’s Playboy Lifestyle

DC has a relatively new law called the False Claims Act, which allows citizens to file lawsuits against alleged tax dodgers and enables whistle-blowers to keep a portion of any proceeds recovered from successful cases. In this instance, if successful it could have seen them pocket as much as $25m from the case. Whistle-blowers alleged that Saylor bought up three prestigious Georgetown penthouses and combined them into one 7,000sq ft luxury apartment all while claiming his personal home was located in Florida – evidenced by frequent parties thrown at yachts he keeps there..

Michael Saylor Hits Back at Allegations

Saylor denies all allegations categorically stating “[I] continue to respectfully disagree with the District’s position on the remaining claims,“ adding „[Florida is]…the center of my personal and family life.“ Indeed, with DC Superior Court Judge Yvonne Williams now dismissing more than half of his case it seems as though we could be set for an interesting courtroom battle over strange DC False Claims Act regulations – however only part of their original claim relating to $25m in unpaid taxes can still pursue under this ruling..

Judge Yvonne Williams‘ Ruling

The court dismissed those parts of Racine’s claims alleging violations of Washington D.C.’s False Claims Act but allowed part of their claim relating to $25m in unpaid taxes plus interest and penalties that should have been paid between 2005 until 2021 can still proceed according CB Insights report .

Implications & What Next?

Speaking on this ruling D.C.’s Attorney General Brian L Schwalb implied they may be considering an appeal – although no official statement has been released yet – so we may see this high profile case continuing for some months yet!