A Leesburg dentist who promoted himself at “the gentle dentist” has been indicted on a charge of tax evasion.
U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg has announced the return of an indictment charging Frantz Brignol with one count of tax evasion and one count of failing to file a tax return. If convicted, Brignol faces up to six years in federal prison.
According to court records, despite successful dental practices in multiple counties, Brignol amassed almost $900,000 in tax liabilities to the IRS. Between approximately 2014 and 2020, Brignol evaded his tax payments by hiding hundreds of thousands of dollars in his mother’s bank accounts (for which he had signatory authority), trading funds overseas, and failing to disclose another bank account to the IRS. Despite an annual income of more than $200,000 in calendar year 2020, Brignol also failed to file an income tax return as required under federal law.
Brignol graduated from the University of Florida in 2004. Brignol owned and operated private practices from 2004 to 2020 and at the time said he attributed his success in dentistry to developing trustworthy patient relationships. He is fluent in English, French, and Creole.
Most recently, he has been practicing in Altamonte Springs.
This case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Unit. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk.
