Canfield doctor charged in federal tax case

CLEVELAND — A Canfield physician has been charged with failing to pay over Social Security, Medicare and employment taxes collected from his employees, the U.S. attorney and the IRS said.

Dr. Nicholas M. Garritano, 54, is charged with willful failure to pay over taxes.

“This defendant took out the taxes from his employees but kept the money for himself,” said Carole S. Rendon, acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. “He victimized his workers and those who paid their fair share of taxes.”

The indictment alleges that during 11 quarters from 2009 through 2012, Dr. Garritano was president and sole shareholder of a corporation by the name “Dr. N.M. Garritano, Inc.”

He caused the corporation to pay taxable wages and salaries to its employees, from which federal income and Social Security and Medicare taxes were withheld, according to the indictment.

During eight quarters for which the taxes were owed, he made no payments to the Internal Revenue Service. He also paid less than he owed for the other three quarters, the indictment said.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Kall after an investigation by the IRS.