Guobadia Accuses DOJ of Misreading Oil Industry Accounting in Tax Fraud Case

Simon Guobadia, the former husband of Porsha Williams, has publicly rejected federal charges alleging he filed false tax returns. The businessman stated that the U.S. Department of Justice misunderstood the financial structure of his petroleum company, Simcol Petroleum Limited. He argued that the agency’s calculations do not reflect standard accounting practices in the oil industry.

Guobadia was indicted on Oct. 27 in federal court in Georgia. Prosecutors filed two counts of aiding in the preparation and filing of false tax returns. An arrest warrant has been issued for the defendant, though court records do not confirm if he has been taken into custody. The case centers on tax filings made in 2021 that prosecutors say significantly understated his income.

The legal timeline began in March 2021 when Guobadia reportedly filed paperwork claiming $0 in taxable income. Prosecutors assert he knew his businesses generated millions of dollars at that time. The indictment further alleges that Simcol Petroleum Limited recorded more than $45 million in gross sales during that period. A second filing in July 2021 reported only $58,231 in taxable income, while the company’s records listed nearly $31 million in gross sales.

In a statement, Guobadia leveraged his background as a certified public accountant to defend his reporting. He said he understands the weight of the charges but believes the government’s analysis is flawed. "As a former tax accountant and CPA, I understand the consequences of filing a false tax return. I am also completely confident that the U.S. Department of Justice got this wrong," he said.

The defendant argued that oil companies do not overstate costs or federal taxes paid. He noted that his deductions for these payments are independently verifiable. Guobadia emphasized that the industry operates on thin profit margins, meaning high sales figures do not equal high taxable profits. "Anyone who knows the oil industry will tell you our margins are thin," he stated. He criticized the public attention on the case, calling the resulting impression of his business dealings "grossly exaggerated."

This legal dispute follows a contentious divorce finalized in June 2025. Porsha Williams secured the couple’s Atlanta mansion and a seven-figure settlement after filing for divorce in February 2024. Williams told PEOPLE that her decision to leave was influenced by discovering "complex" issues with Guobadia’s immigration status and a pattern of dishonesty. She described feeling an "uncomfortable situation, legally" that required immediate protection.

Guobadia’s immigration status has complicated his legal standing. He was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement while returning to the United States for a divorce hearing. He was deported to Nigeria in 2025 and cannot legally re-enter the U.S. until further notice. Williams alleged in court filings that media reports on his immigration fraud and threat of deportation affected her mental and emotional wellbeing during the proceedings.

The federal charges remain pending as the case moves forward. Guobadia’s claims regarding his company’s financial reporting have not yet been independently verified by a court. The next steps in the legal process will depend on the court’s handling of the indictment and the defendant’s potential appearance.