Gary Shapley Named Deputy Chief of IRS Criminal Investigation

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the appointment of Gary Shapley as Deputy Chief of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), effective March 19, 2025. Shapley brings more than 15 years of experience with the agency and will now serve as second-in-command of one of the most specialized and complex arms of the IRS.

A leader in financial crime enforcement

As Deputy Chief, Shapley will oversee 20 field offices and 14 foreign posts, managing a workforce of over 2,000 special agents. These agents are responsible for investigating financial crimes including tax fraud, money laundering, cybercrime, and illicit financial activity tied to both domestic and international actors.

IRS-CI Chief Guy Ficco highlighted Shapley’s qualifications in the official release, stating, "Gary has been instrumental in many of our cases with an international nexus, and he brings a wealth of knowledge to the role of IRS-CI deputy chief" (IRS.gov).

Career built on international expertise

Shapley joined the IRS in 2009 as a special agent and has since developed a reputation for leading complex international investigations. His experience includes high-profile cases involving offshore tax evasion, international financial institutions, and foreign bank accounts held by high-net-worth individuals. He previously served as the supervisory special agent for IRS-CI’s International Tax and Financial Crime group—an elite unit focused on global financial threats.

From 2013 to 2018, Shapley was a key figure in the Department of Justice and IRS’s Swiss Bank Program, which targeted foreign banks that facilitated tax evasion for U.S. clients. His contributions helped shape the federal government’s enforcement strategy against opaque foreign banking practices.

Leadership experience across key field offices

Shapley’s career trajectory has included critical leadership roles across multiple geographic regions. From April 2021 to September 2021, he served as acting assistant special agent in charge of the New York Field Office, one of the agency’s most prominent divisions. Later, he assumed the same position in the Chicago Field Office from December 2021 to November 2022.

These roles involved not only case oversight but also the management of multi-disciplinary teams tasked with combating high-stakes financial crime. He has also served on two FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces, contributing to national security efforts with a financial investigative lens.

Looking forward

As the IRS continues to modernize its enforcement strategies and expand its international reach, Shapley’s appointment underscores the agency’s commitment to financial integrity. His tenure is likely to bring sustained focus to international tax enforcement and data-driven investigative practices.

For practitioners in the accounting space, staying informed about IRS-CI’s strategic direction—and educating clients about heightened scrutiny in certain areas—will remain an essential part of proactive advisory services.

This article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence and reviewed by an editor for accuracy, clarity, and compliance with The Woodard Report’s editorial standards.