A former local exec is accused of cheating the IRS by getting paid more than $1.6 million in compensation and fringe benefits under the table.

Marlboro man Stephen Hochberg, 77 — who was an accounting and real estate executive in Sudbury — was recently charged by the feds. He has agreed to plead guilty to perpetrating the multi-year scheme.

Hochberg, who was previously convicted of wire fraud and securities fraud, is also accused of lying to the U.S. Attorney’s Office about his income to avoid paying restitution he owed to victims of the earlier fraud scheme.

According to the feds, Hochberg and his business partner Charles Katz agreed as early as 2014 to cheat the IRS.

They allegedly agreed that Hochberg — who was the director of corporate services at Katz’s accounting firm and the COO at Katz’s real estate firm — would be paid significant compensation off the books so that Hochberg would have tax-free income.

Also, this scheme would mean that Katz’s firms – CD Katz LLC and Gebsco Realty Corporation – would have lower employment taxes.

Over time, Katz allegedly paid Hochberg’s family, provided rent-free housing to Hochberg’s ex-wife, paid college tuition for his children, and paid personal expenses that Hochberg and his ex-wife charged on corporate credit cards.

Katz allegedly paid Hochberg at least $1,668,487 in unreported income, and avoided taxes of at least $835,105.

In 2008, Hochberg was convicted of eight counts of wire fraud and nine counts of securities fraud. He was sentenced to more than five years in federal prison, and he was ordered to pay almost $1.8 million to his victims.

In addition to his and Katz’s scheme, he allegedly lied to the U.S. Attorney’s Office about his income from Katz’s firms and obstructed the collection of restitution he owed victims.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The long-awaited murder trial for Brian Walshe begins today in Norfolk Superior Court, where prosecutors will lay out their case that he killed his wife, Ana Walshe, nearly three years after she vanished.

The proceedings are being streamed live here — WATCH LIVE: Brian Walshe murder trial

What we know:

Brian Walshe is charged with murdering his wife, Ana Walshe, who disappeared on New Year’s Day 2023. Her body has never been found.

Walshe has pleaded guilty to two lesser charges in misleading police and improper disposal of a body, but continues to deny killing her, insisting he did not commit murder.

In the months leading up to the trial, a judge ruled that Walshe is competent to stand trial, clearing the way for jury selection and now today’s opening statements.

Prosecutors allege Ana was killed inside the couple’s Massachusetts home. Walshe admitted to disposing of her body, but he maintains she died accidentally and that he panicked.

The backstory:

Ana Walshe was reported missing in early January 2023. Her disappearance quickly escalated into a criminal investigation, and Brian Walshe was later arrested and charged with murder.

Walshe had been under court supervision on unrelated charges at the time of Ana’s disappearance, and his movements were restricted — something prosecutors have highlighted in earlier hearings.

Walshe has remained held while awaiting trial.

What’s next:

Opening statements begin today.

The court is expected to hear testimony from investigators, forensic specialists and those who interacted with the couple before Ana vanished.

The trial is expected to draw national attention due to the case’s high-profile and longevity.

A fire broke out at an apartment building in Haverhill, Massachusetts, on Sunday night, with several people needing rescued by firefighters.

Chief Robert M. O’Brien says the fire department received a 911 call just before 8 p.m. reporting a fire in a 3-story apartment building on Forest Acres Drive in the Bradford section of Haverhill.

Responding crews were met by people at the front of the building reporting fire inside, and there were also multiple people calling for help who hadn’t gotten out yet.

About a dozen people were evacuated by firefighters, O’Brien said, with seven or eight of those people needing to be rescued on ladders.

Everyone got out okay, according to O’Brien. There were a couple “small injuries,” he added, and two people were taken to local hospitals.

One of the two people transported was on the grass when firefighters arrived. When asked if she jumped from her apartment, O’Brien said he thought she hung from her balcony and landed — noting it was an about an 8-foot drop. She was in “good condition,” however, the fire chief added.

The fire originated in a one of the units on the second floor, according to O’Brien, and crews were able to knock the flames down quickly, containing them to where they started. What caused the fire is unknown at this time. Investigators were on scene to determine that, and to assess the damages.

There are 52 units currently without power, pending the investigation. There’s no word on when power will be restored, as the investigation was just getting underway.