Photo credit: ESPN
Former NHL goaltender Mika Noronen, known for his stints with the Vancouver Canucks and the Buffalo Sabres, faced a fraud conviction in Finland, his home country.
According to a recent report from the Finnish newspaper Ilta Sanomat, Noronen, a first-round pick in the 1997 NHL draft by the Sabres, received a 60-day jail sentence for tax fraud.
However, the court suspended the sentence due to Noronen's clean record, provided he meets specific conditions to avoid jail time.
"It was his NHL pension. Noronen played in the NHL for several seasons during his career and was entitled to a pension of almost [$150,000 USD].
The pension was triggered when the ex-goalkeeper turned 40 in June, 2019. Noronen reported his tax number to the US authorities in Finland and requested payment to a Finnish bank account.
The money arrived in Noronen's account. The following spring, Noronen received a pre-filled tax return but failed to declare his pension income."
The pension was triggered when the ex-goalkeeper turned 40 in June, 2019. Noronen reported his tax number to the US authorities in Finland and requested payment to a Finnish bank account.
The money arrived in Noronen's account. The following spring, Noronen received a pre-filled tax return but failed to declare his pension income."
Despite his intentions to pay taxes in Finland, Noronen overlooked reporting his pension income in his tax filings, leading to legal repercussions.
"My intention was not to avoid tax. I wanted to pay my taxes in Finland, because this is where I live and where my children live."
While Noronen has since rectified his tax filings, he still faces potential punishment for the offense. Updates on the case are forthcoming.
As seen on markerzone
Former Canucks and Sabres goalie convicted of fraud
Former Canucks and Sabres goalie convicted of fraud
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