Attorney General Richard Blumenthal says he’s investigating whether any Connecticut residents are illegally evading taxes through offshore accounts.
His office is looking specifically at whether any state residents are among the 4,450 U.S. citizens suspected of hiding assets with the Swiss bank, UBS AG, to dodge taxes. In an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service, the bank is releasing the names to U.S. authorities.
Blumenthal says his office will pursue Connecticut residents named in the list for back state taxes.
His investigation comes as the state faces a projected two-year, $8.56 billion deficit and is considering raising income tax rates on the wealthy.
Gov. M. Jodi Rell says she directed the state’s tax office to help Blumenthal with his probe. (AP)