Stephen L. Hochberg, a former accounting and real estate executive from Marlborough, was sentenced on April 6 in federal court in Boston to two years in prison for conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service and obstructing justice.
The sentencing follows Hochberg’s guilty plea in January 2026 to charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of justice. The case highlights ongoing efforts by authorities to address financial crimes involving tax evasion and attempts to avoid restitution owed from previous convictions.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Hochberg, age 78, received more than $1.6 million in under-the-table compensation over several years while working as Director of Corporate Services at CD Katz LLC and Chief Operating Officer at Gebsco Realty Corporation. Prosecutors said that starting as early as 2014, Hochberg conspired with Charles D. Katz—owner of both firms—to conceal income from the IRS by paying significant compensation off the books. This arrangement allowed Hochberg access to tax-free income while reducing employment taxes owed by Katz’s companies.
Court documents show that Katz provided additional benefits such as payments made directly to members of Hochberg’s family, rent-free housing for his ex-wife, college tuition payments for his children, and payment of personal expenses through corporate credit cards. In total, authorities estimate that at least $1,668,487 went unreported by Hochberg with taxes avoided totaling at least $835,105.
Hochberg had previously been convicted in 2008 on multiple counts of wire fraud and securities fraud resulting in a prison sentence exceeding five years and an order requiring him to pay nearly $1.8 million in restitution. Officials said he lied about his income during this period in order to avoid making these restitution payments.
Katz was charged separately and agreed to plead guilty in October 2025; his sentencing is scheduled for April 29, 2026.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the sentencing along with officials from IRS Criminal Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.