Leona Helmsley

About Leona Helmsley

Leona Helmsley, known as the Queen of Mean, was a New York hotel magnate. Helmsley was convicted of federal income tax evasion in 1989 for billing millions in personal expenses to her hotels. A former housekeeper testified that Helmsley said we dont pay taxes, only the little people pay taxes. The quote became famous and symbolized wealthy tax avoidance. Helmsley was sentenced to 4 years in prison and fined 7 million. She served 18 months in federal prison. The Helmsley case highlighted how wealthy individuals use business structures to evade taxes. Helmsley left a 12 million trust fund for her dog Trouble when she died in 2007, while cutting two grandchildren out of her will.