New York Attorney General Letitia James. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
NEW YORK, N.Y. – New York Attorney General Letitia James on Tuesday announced her office’s investigation into a Madison County tax preparation and insurance services firm, the Offices of Miles B. Marshall, Inc. and M. Burton Marshall.
Recent concerns raised by New York consumers who relied on the firm for various services have been reported to local and state law enforcement. The Office of the Attorney General is investigating this matter and working closely with the Madison County District Attorney’s Office and other partners in law enforcement.
“Learning that the people you entrust with your finances and investments may be misusing your hard-earned money is scary and concerning,” James said. “My office has been notified of multiple complaints regarding potential irregularities at the Offices of Miles B. Marshall, Inc. and M. Burton Marshall, and we are committed to conducting a thorough investigation of this matter.”
On March 7 the Hamilton Police Department received an inquiry from a concerned participant in an 8% Promissory Note Fund established by M. Burton Marshall of Hamilton, New York. Chief Matthew Janczuk of the Hamilton Police Department contacted the Madison County District Attorney’s Office to enlist their help in developing information relevant to the inquiry of the concerned participant.
“Quickly realizing the potentially large number of participants in this fund and the multi-jurisdictional reach of this inquiry, we immediately contacted the New York State Police to enlist their participation in this matter,” Madison County Public Information Officer Samantha Field said.
After contact with the New York State Police, the DA’s office learned that a similar inquiry had previously been made to the New York State Attorney General’s Office. This was confirmed by the Attorney General’s Office on March 21, 2023 when they informed us that they had an existing inquiry into this matter.
“Given this, the Madison County District Attorney’s Office immediately ceased all activity on this inquiry and turned over all materials in our possession – including any all contact information from known concerned participants – to the New York State Attorney General’s Office,” Field said..
The county has been assured that the Attorney General’s Office will follow-up with anyone who has already contacted their office or the Hamilton Police Department. Any future inquires inquiries regarding this matter should be directed to the New York State Attorney General’s Office by sending an email to: [email protected].
James wishes to thank the Madison County District Attorney’s Office, the Hamilton Police Department, and the New York State Police for their assistance.
For impacted New Yorkers who have not already reached out to law enforcement, please contact [email protected].
“Our investigators will continue their work, and I urge anyone who has not already contacted law enforcement regarding this matter to reach out to my office immediately,” James said.
James has been a leader in the effort to protect consumers from fraudulent tax schemes and practices. Earlier this month, she issued a consumer alert to remind New Yorkers how to protect themselves from tax scams and offered tips and information on various resources available this tax season.
Also this month, James provided tips to protect consumers and highlight deceptive tax schemes. In May 2022, Attorney General James secured $141 million for millions of Americans who were deceived by TurboTax into paying for tax services that should have been free.