Dutch celebrity tax advisor arrested by American immigration service ICE
The Dutch tax adviser Frank Butselaar, known as the “fiscalist of the stars,” was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Monday, immediately after completing a prison sentence in Connecticut for tax fraud, FD reports.
Butselaar, who has worked with prominent Dutch clients including television host Linda de Mol, presenter Jort Kelder, model Yfke Sturm, and internationally known DJs Afrojack and Tiësto, had been held in the United States over a false tax return filed on behalf of DJ Afrojack, whose real name is Nick van de Wall.
In February, a U.S. court sentenced Butselaar to 30 months in prison for the offense. He had already spent 21 months in custody, first in Italy and then in the United States, which meant he was required to serve only a few additional months. His release on Monday from the federal Danbury prison in Connecticut was reportedly based on "good behavior" and other factors that reduced his sentence.
However, as soon as he exited the facility, ICE officers were waiting to detain him. According to FD, because Butselaar had been extradited from Italy to face charges in the United States, he was considered to have no valid immigration status after completing his sentence.
Butselaar’s American attorneys attempted to reach ICE officials by phone to clarify that their client was intending to leave the country immediately. He had already purchased an airline ticket for a return flight to the Netherlands on Monday evening.
It remains unclear what will happen to Butselaar now. A friend who was present at the prison told FD that he was simply informed, “He is not going home today.”
ICE facilities operate detention centers for individuals considered to be in the United States unlawfully. If immigration authorities determine that a person has no legal status, they arrange deportation.
The arrest comes amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s enforcement of strict immigration policies. Trump has pledged to remove millions of undocumented immigrants and directed the White House to ensure that ICE carries out at least 3,000 arrests daily to meet his deportation targets.
In addition to his American conviction, Butselaar is also facing an investigation by Dutch prosecutors for alleged tax fraud committed in the Netherlands.
