<h2 class="newsroom-headline fn">Property investor and chef jailed for tax credit fraud</h2>
<p>A self-employed property investor and caterer from Bermondsey, who stole over £70,000 in a tax credit fraud, has been jailed.</p>
<p>Khalid Farid, 59, admitted fraudulently claiming tax credits, despite pocketing more than £509,000 from property sales, when he was investigated by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).</p>
<p>Farid’s crime was uncovered by an HMRC property taskforce, set up to identify those who seek to avoid paying tax from property transactions. Taskforces bring together various HMRC compliance and enforcement teams for intensive bursts of activity targeting specific sectors and locations where strong evidence is held to indicate a high risk of tax evasion and fraud.</p>
<p>Investigators found Farid had eight London properties, purchased in his wife’s name, which he’d sold over the previous nine years. Although making substantial profits, at the same time Farid was claiming tax credits for himself and his family. He lied and claimed the only home he had was his rented flat, which, until recently, he used as a base to cook and deliver Indian takeaways.</p>
<p>David Margree, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said:</p>
<p>“Farid deliberately abused a system designed to provide <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://www.fraudswatch.com/tag/financial-fraud/" title="financial" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="592">financial</a> help to the most vulnerable people in our society. Honest taxpayers and those in need of benefits often don’t have the opportunity to own one property, but Farid profited from the sale of eight. He knew what he was doing was wrong but had no intention of playing by the rules, thinking he could hide his crime by using his wife’s name as a smokescreen. But he was wrong and now is paying the price for his dishonesty with a jail sentence.</p>
<p>“If you know of anyone who is committing tax fraud please contact our 24 hour Hotline on 0800 59 5000 and help us stamp it out.”</p>
<p>In summing up the Recorder, Mr V Robinson QC, said:</p>
<p>“In spite of Mr Farid’s early guilty plea, he had made a serious financial gain and sending him to prison may send a clear message to others considering benefit fraud in the future.”</p>
<p>The property sales will now be subject to a Capital Gains Assessment and confiscation proceedings to recover the proceeds of his crime will follow.</p>
<p><strong>Notes for Editors</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Khalid Farid (DOB 2/10/57) of Weston Street, London, pleaded guilty to being knowingly concerned in fraudulent claims of tax credits contrary to Section 35 of the Tax Credits Act 2002 on 6 June at Inner London Court. He was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment at the same court on Tuesday, 30 August 2016.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The total amount of the tax credit fraud is £70,515.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>HMRC taskforces target specific high-risk sectors where there is a risk that some are not paying the tax they owe. Since taskforces began in May 2011, more than 140 taskforces have been launched, bringing in more than £540 million.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Taskforces bring together various HMRC compliance and enforcement teams for intensive bursts of activity targeted at specific sectors and locations where there is evidence of high risk of tax evasion and fraud. The teams visit traders to examine their records and carry out other investigations.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Follow HMRC Press Office on Twitter @HMRCpressoffice</p>
</li>
</ol>
<p> ;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/hm-revenue-customs-hmrc/pressreleases/property-investor-and-chef-jailed-for-tax-credit-fraud-1543264">Original PressReleases &#8230;</a></p>

Category Archives: Fraud News From World
A “Fraud News From World” directory is a collection of news articles about fraud and scams from around the world. These directories can be a valuable resource for staying informed about the latest scams and how to protect yourself from them. The directory typically includes information about the scam, such as the type of scam, the target audience, the location of the scam, and the date of the scam. It may also include information about how to protect yourself from the scam, such as how to identify a phishing email or how to report a scam to the authorities.
VAT Fraudsters: Charles Mogford A Motor Business Tax Evasion Sentenced
<h2>Berkshire motor business VAT fraudsters sentenced</h2>
<p>The former owners of a Maidenhead motor dealership who illegally claimed an £86,000 VAT repayment have been sentenced.</p>
<p>A VAT fraud investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) revealed that Charles Mogford (53) and Julia Smith (51) submitted a false purchase invoice to reclaim more VAT than was due.</p>
<p>Mogford and Smith were Company Directors of Auto Exporters UK Limited, which traded as Berkshire Land Rovers until July 2014. The pair submitted a VAT claim for the purchase of 31 Land Rovers, when in fact the real invoice was only for two vehicles.</p>
<p>The fraudulent invoice was dated 22 January 2010 and used to make a false VAT repayment claim the following month.</p>
<p>Anthony Swarbrick, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said:</p>
<p>“Mogford and Smith had traded legitimately, but greed led them to commit VAT fraud. Our message is clear &#8211; it is simply not acceptable to steal from the tax system and, ultimately, honest UK taxpayers.</p>
<p>“HMRC will continue to pursue those criminals who attack the tax system and we ask anyone with information about suspected VAT fraud to contact our 24-hour Hotline on 0800 59 5000.”</p>
<p>On 30 June 2016 at Reading Crown Court Charles Mogford pleaded guilty to the fraudulent evasion of VAT (£86,118.99). A jury found Julia Smith guilty of the same offence on 4 July 2016. Charles Mogford was jailed for two years at Reading Crown Court on 30 August 2016. Julia Smith was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.</p>
<p>The £86,000 has been repaid to HMRC.</p>
<p>Upon sentencing Mogford, Her Honour Judge Cutts QC, said:</p>
<p>“You had the leading role in this offence.&#8221; Adding, she “believed that he had doctored the invoice.”</p>
<p><strong>Notes for editors</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Charles Henry MOGFORD (DOB 26/11/62) of Switchback Road South, Maidenhead, Berkshire at the time of the fraud, now of Ray Mead Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire. A former Company Director of Auto Exporter UK Limited of Maidenhead.</li>
<li>Julia Ann SMITH (DOB 14/04/65) of Henley Road, Hurley, Maidenhead, Berkshire at the time of the fraud, now of Primrose Hill, Widmer End, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. A former Company Director of Auto Exporter UK Limited of Maidenhead.</li>
<li>Charles Mogford was jailed for two years and disqualified from holding any company directorships for ten years. Julia Smith was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for two years. She was disqualified from holding any company directorships for eight years. Smith must also complete 180 hours of unpaid work.</li>
<li>They were jointly charged with being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of Value Added Tax, contrary to Section 72(1) of the Value Added Tax Act 1994.</li>
<li>The company now trading from Berkshire Land Rover’s former business premises in Stafferton Way, Berkshire, was not part of this investigation.</li>
<li>VAT registered businesses <em>charge</em> VAT on the selling price of any goods and services that are liable to VAT. This is known as <em>‘output tax’ </em>and must be paid to HMRC.Businesses <em>pay</em> VAT on their purchases and expenses, known as ‘<em>input tax’</em>. The difference between the output and input tax can be reclaimed from HMRC.</li>
<li>Anyone with information about people or businesses possibly involved in VAT fraud can contact us on 0800 59 5000 or online at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/report-vat-fraud" rel="nofollow">https://www.gov.uk/report-vat-fraud</a></li>
<li>Follow HMRC’s Press Office on Twitter @HMRCpressoffice.</li>
</ol>
<p><a href="http://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/hm-revenue-customs-hmrc/pressreleases/berkshire-motor-business-vat-fraudsters-sentenced-1539486">Original PressReleases &#8230;</a></p>

Health Care Fraud: Dr. Pedro Garcia Charged For His Scheme to Defraud Medicare
<h2>RGV Area Doctor Charged in Health Care Fraud and Illegal Kickback Scheme</h2>
<p>McALLEN, Texas ‐ A Rio Grande Valley area doctor has been charged in a federal indictment for his scheme to defraud Medicare and to solicit and obtain illegal kickbacks in exchange for patient referrals, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.</p>
<p>A federal grand jury in McAllen returned the indictment under seal Aug. 30, 2016. It was unsealed today upon the arrest of Dr. Pedro Garcia, 68, of Mission. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Ormsby tomorrow at 10:30 a.m.</p>
<p>According to the charges, Garcia solicited and obtained cash in exchange for referrals of Medicare beneficiaries to prospective home health agencies. Garcia allegedly signed patient forms for patients he did not treat or provide services to and conveyed the forms to home health agencies, claiming he had treated or provided services to the patients. Some of the patients were deceased on the dates Garcia claims to have provided treatment or services, according to the indictment.</p>
<p>The indictment also alleges that from 2014 to 2016, Garcia submitted or caused others to submit claims to Medicare for reimbursement of home health services that were not provided. Garcia allegedly filed or caused others to file claims with Medicare knowing that the claims were false since the services were not provided. According to the indictment, Garcia illegally used the beneficiaries identifying information to perpetrate the fraud.</p>
<p>Garcia is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, four counts of health care fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, three counts of illegal remunerations and one count of obstruction of criminal investigations of health care offenses.</p>
<p>Conspiracy to commit health care fraud and each of the four counts of health care fraud carry a maximum punishment of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine, upon conviction. Illegal remunerations and obstruction of criminal investigations of health care offenses carry a maximum punishment of five years in federal prison and a $25,000 fine. For the aggravated identity theft, Garcia also faces a mandatory two‐year additional prison term which must be served consecutively to any other prison sentence imposed.</p>
<p>The FBI, Department of Health and Human Services‐Office of Inspector General, Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission-Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Day and Andrew Swartz are prosecuting the case.</p>
<p><strong><em>An indictment is an accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.</em></strong></p>

Antitrust: Blocked Deere’s Acquisition Of High-Speed Precision Planting Systems
<h2>Justice Department Sues to Block Deere’s Acquisition of Precision Planting</h2>
<p class="rtecenter"><strong><em>Acquisition Would Eliminate Deere’s Only Effective Competitor </em></strong><strong><em>in High-Speed Precision Planting Systems Market</em></strong></p>
<p>The Department of Justice filed a civil antitrust lawsuit today seeking to block Deere &; Company’s proposed acquisition of Precision Planting LLC from Monsanto Company in order to preserve competition in the market for high-speed precision planting systems in the United States.</p>
<p>The Antitrust Division’s lawsuit alleges that the transaction would combine the only two significant U.S. providers of high-speed precision planting systems – technology that is designed to allow farmers to plant crops accurately at higher speeds. The acquisition would deny farmers throughout the country the benefits of competition that has spurred innovation, improved quality and lowered prices. The department filed its lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.</p>
<p>“High-speed precision planting technology holds out the promise of improved yields for American farmers by enabling them to plant crops more accurately at higher speeds,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Renata Hesse of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “Precision Planting has been a key innovator in high-speed precision planting and Deere’s only significant competitor in developing and selling these technologies. If this deal were allowed to proceed, Deere would dominate the market for high-speed precision planting systems and be able to raise prices and slow innovation at the expense of American farmers who rely on these systems.”</p>
<p>High-speed precision planting is an innovative technology that enables farmers to plant corn, soybeans and other row crops at up to twice the speed of a conventional planter without sacrificing accuracy. Planting at higher speeds can be highly valuable to farmers, many of whom have a limited window each year to plant their crops to achieve the highest crop yields. As a result, Deere and Precision Planting view high-speed precision planting as “revolutionary technology” that represents a “True Gamechanger for Agriculture” and expect it to become the industry standard in the coming years.</p>
<p>According to the department’s complaint, Deere and Precision Planting are the only two effective competitors in high-speed precision planting, conservatively accounting for at least 86 percent of the market. Deere and Precision Planting both introduced their respective high-speed planting systems in 2014, after years of research and development. The complaint details how the intense head-to-head competition between Deere and Precision Planting since that time has directly benefitted farmers through aggressive discounts and promotions, lower prices and innovative product offerings. The complaint alleges that Deere’s proposed acquisition of the company it has described as its “number one competitor” would allow it to control nearly every method through which American farmers can acquire effective high-speed precision planting systems and provide it with the ability to set prices, output, quality and product features without the constraints of market competition.</p>
<p>Deere &; Company, a Delaware corporation headquartered in Moline, Illinois, is the largest manufacturer of planting equipment in the United States, including its ExactEmerge high-speed precision planting system. In 2015, Deere’s U.S. sales for planter-related equipment were approximate $900 million.</p>
<p>Precision Planting LLC is a Delaware limited liability company headquartered in Tremont, Illinois. It is a leading innovator in planting equipment, including its SpeedTube high-speed precision planting system. In 2015, Precision Planting’s U.S. sales for planter-related equipment were approximate $100 million.</p>
<p>Monsanto Company is a Delaware corporation headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Monsanto is a leading global provider of agricultural products and is the ultimate parent company of Precision Planting LLC.</p>

Health Care Fraud: Khaled Elbeblawy Was Sentenced of Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud and Wire Fraud
<h2>Former Owner and Manager of Miami-Area Home Health Agencies Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Role in $57 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme</h2>
<p>The owner and manager of three now-defunct Miami-area home health agencies was sentenced today to 240 months in prison for his role in a $57 million Medicare fraud scheme.</p>
<p>Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the FBI’s Miami Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Shimon R. Richmond of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Miami Regional Office made the announcement.</p>
<p>Khaled Elbeblawy, 40, of Miramar, Florida, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom of the Southern District of Florida, who also ordered Elbeblawy to pay approximately $36,400,957 in restitution and to forfeit the same amount. On Jan. 21, 2016, Elbeblawy was convicted after a two-week trial of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and pay health care kickbacks.</p>
<p>According to evidence presented at trial, Elbeblawy managed Willsand Home Health Agency Inc. (Willsand) and owned JEM Home Health Care LLC (JEM) and Healthy Choice Home Services Inc. (Healthy Choice). The evidence showed that through these three entities, from approximately 2006 to 2013, Elbeblawy and his co-conspirators purported to provide home health services to Medicare beneficiaries in the Miami area, which were not medically necessary and often were never even provided. Elbeblawy and his co-conspirators paid kickbacks to doctors, patient recruiters and staffing groups, which, in exchange, referred beneficiaries to Willsand, JEM and Healthy Choice, the evidence showed.</p>
<p>Evidence presented at trial showed that the three agencies submitted a total of approximately $57 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, and received payments totaling approximately $40 million on those claims.</p>
<p>On Oct. 15, 2012, Eulises Escalona, the former owner of Willsand and the former co-owner of JEM, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Cynthia Vilches, the former co-owner of Healthy Choice, was charged by information and pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Vilches is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 13, 2016.</p>
<p>The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case, which was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, supervised by the Criminal Division&#8217;s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Florida. Assistant Chief Nicholas E. Surmacz and Trial Attorney Vasanth Sridharan of the Fraud Section prosecuted the case.</p>
<p>Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged nearly 2,900 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $10 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.</p>
<p>To learn more about the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), go to <a href="http://www.stopmedicarefraud.gov/">www.stopmedicarefraud.gov</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-owner-and-manager-miami-area-home-health-agencies-sentenced-20-years-prison-role-57">Original PressReleases &#8230;</a></p>

Healthcare Fraud: Niurka Fernandez and Roberto Alvarez Pleaded Guilty to One Count of Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud
<h2>Mother and Son Plead Guilty to Orchestrating $16 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme at Two Miami Pharmacies</h2>
<p>A mother and son based in Miami each pleaded guilty today to fraud charges for their roles in a $16 million Medicare fraud scheme.</p>
<p>U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida, Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the FBI’s Miami Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Shimon R. Richmond of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Miami Regional Office made the announcement.</p>
<p><strong>Niurka Fernandez</strong>, 54, and <strong>Roberto Alvarez</strong>, 29, both of Miami, each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud before U.S. District Judge Federico A. Moreno of the Southern District of Florida. The sentencings have been scheduled for Nov. 8, 2016, before Judge Moreno.</p>
<p>As part of her guilty plea, Fernandez admitted that she was an owner of Calan Pharmacy &; Discount Service LLC (Calan Pharmacy) and Bertyann Corp., doing business as Best Pharmacy, two pharmacies located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Fernandez was an organizer and leader of a Medicare fraud scheme that paid Medicare beneficiaries and patient recruiters for prescriptions that were medically unnecessary, according to the plea agreement. Fernandez also admitted that she and her co-conspirators at Calan Pharmacy and Best Pharmacy billed Medicare for many prescription medications that they never even dispensed to the beneficiaries.</p>
<p>In connection with his guilty plea, Alvarez admitted that he was involved in the Medicare fraud scheme at Best Pharmacy. Alvarez purported to work at Best Pharmacy as a pharmacy technician, but in fact facilitated kickback payments to Medicare beneficiaries, according to the plea agreement. While at Best Pharmacy, Alvarez wrote checks to money launderers in order to obtain cash to pay the kickbacks to the Medicare beneficiaries, he admitted.</p>
<p>Medicare made more than $16 million in overpayments to Calan Pharmacy and Best Pharmacy as a result of the health care fraud scheme, according to admissions made in connection with today’s pleas.</p>
<p>The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case, which was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force under the supervision of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Florida. Fraud Section Trial Attorneys L. Rush Atkinson and Lisa H. Miller are prosecuting the case.</p>
<p>Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged nearly 2,900 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $10 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare &; Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.</p>
<p>Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at <a href="http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov/"><u>www.flsd.uscourts.gov</u></a> or on <a href="http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov/"><u>http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov</u></a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/mother-and-son-plead-guilty-orchestrating-16-million-medicare-fraud-scheme-two-miami">Original PressReleases &#8230;</a></p>

Financial Fraud: Karl Robinson Pleaded Guilty to One Count of Bankruptcy Fraud
<h2>Long Beach Man Pleads Guilty in $3 Million Foreclosure Rescue Scam</h2>
<p><em>LOS ANGELES</em> – A Long Beach man has pleaded guilty to a federal fraud charge related to a long-running mortgage rescue scheme that involved nearly $3 million in illegal fees charged to distressed homeowners and about 200 fraudulent bankruptcy petitions.</p>
<p>Karl Robinson, 52, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of bankruptcy fraud before United States District Judge Manuel Real.</p>
<p>Robinson operated the foreclosure rescue scheme from 2008 until 2013 under his own name and other names, including “Stay In Your Home Today,” “21st Century Development” and “Genesis Ventures Corporation.” The businesses provided illegal foreclosure- and eviction-delay services to homeowners who had defaulted on their mortgages. The purpose of the scheme was to obtain money from distressed homeowners, and in exchange Robinson was able to hinder, delay and obstruct lawful foreclosure and eviction actions against property owners who had defaulted on their mortgages.</p>
<p>As part of the scheme, Robinson filed bogus grant deeds in county records offices and other fake documents in formal eviction proceedings to make it appear that fictional people held interests in distressed properties. He then fraudulently filed bankruptcy petitions in the names of the fictional people to trigger an “automatic stay” in the bankruptcy cases. The filing of a bankruptcy petition has the effect of suspending all creditor actions, including foreclosure proceedings commenced by <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://www.fraudswatch.com/category/mortgage/" title="mortgage" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="63">mortgage</a> lenders and eviction actions commenced by purchasers of foreclosed properties.</p>
<p>“This defendant filed scores of fraudulent bankruptcy actions – sometimes on multiple occasions in relation to a single property,” said United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker. “He took advantage of distressed homeowners by stealing identities and lying to them about what he could do for their properties as long as they continued to pay his fees.”</p>
<p>Robinson admitted that as part of his scheme he obtained nearly $3 million from distressed homeowners and filed more than 200 fake bankruptcies.</p>
<p>“Mr. Robinson used his position as a pastor gain the trust of distressed homeowners, only to lure them with false hope while he worked the system to get rich,” said Deirdre Fike, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI and our partners with the FHFA-OIG and the U.S Attorney&#8217;s Office will continue to combat schemes targeting vulnerable homeowners.”</p>
<p>As a result of today’s guilty plea, Robinson faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison when he is sentenced by Judge Real on November 28.</p>
<p>The criminal case against Robinson is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of the Inspector General (FHFA-OIG).</p>
<p>“Karl Robinson engaged in a complicated fraud scheme that preyed on others misfortune to line his own pockets,” stated FHFA-OIG’s Special Agent in Charge Leslie Demarco. “Today’s guilty plea is the first step toward taking responsibility for his criminal activity.”</p>
<p>The case against Robinson was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Kerry L. Quinn of the Major Frauds Section.</p>

Financial Fraud: Gilbert Urrabazo Pleaded Guilty to a Federal Charge in Connection With a Bribery and Kickback Scheme
<h2>Former Crystal City Councilman Pleads Guilty to Role in Bribery and Kickback Scheme</h2>
<p>In Del Rio this afternoon, former Crystal City Councilman Gilbert Urrabazo pleaded guilty to a federal charge in connection with a bribery and kickback scheme involving city contracts announced United States Attorney Richard Durbin, Jr., and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.</p>
<p>Appearing before United States District Judge Alia Moses, Urrabazo, age 45, pleaded guilty to one count of federal programs bribery. By pleading guilty, Urrabazo admittedly used his official position in April 2015 to enrich himself by accepting a cash bribe from a person seeking to do business in Crystal City. As a result of his guilty plea, Urrabazo faces up to ten years in federal prison; a fine of up to $250,000; a $2,000 monetary judgment; and, forfeiture of approximately $1,000 in U.S. currency seized by authorities during this investigation. Urrabazo remains on bond pending sentencing which has yet to be scheduled.</p>
<p>Urrabazo is the fourth defendant to enter a guilty plea in this case. Former Mayo Pro-Tem Rogelio Mata, former City Councilman Roel Mata and businessman Ngoc Tri Nguyen have admitted their roles in the bribery and kickback scheme. All four defendants face up to ten years in federal prison.</p>
<p>Former City Attorney and City Manager William James Jonas, age 54, and former Crystal City Mayor Ricardo Lopez, age 40, remains under a superseding indictment charged with conspiracy to commit bribery. In addition, Jonas is charged with four bribery-related counts and ten wire fraud-related counts; Lopez, two bribery-related and four wire-fraud related charges. Upon conviction, Jonas and Lopez face up to five years in federal prison for the conspiracy to commit bribery charge, up to ten years in federal prison for each bribery related charge, and up to 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud related charge. Both are out on bond at this time awaiting trial scheduled for November 15, 2016, in Del Rio before United States District Judge Alia Moses.</p>
<p>This ongoing joint investigation is being conducted by the FBI and the San Antonio Police Department with assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigative Division and the Texas Rangers. Individuals who have first-hand information about corruption, fraud, or bribery related to Crystal City are urged to contact the FBI at (210) 225-6741.</p>
<p>Assistant United States Attorneys Jay Hulings and William R. Harris are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.</p>
<p><strong>An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. Jonas and Lopez are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.</strong></p>

Financial Fraud: James E. Levin and Jacklyn M. Sutcivni Were Indicted for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
<h2>Natick Attorney and Former City of Worcester Housing Official Indicted on Fraud Charges</h2>
<p>BOSTON – A real estate developer and a former City of Worcester housing official were charged in U.S. District Court in Worcester this week in connection with a $2.3 million fraud scheme relating to the redevelopment of a multi-family property in Worcester.</p>
<p>James E. Levin, 57, of Natick, a real estate developer and attorney, and Jacklyn M. Sutcivni, 43, of Dracut, a former employee of the City of Worcester’s Housing Development Office and Executive Office of Economic Development, were indicted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and false claims. Levin was arrested yesterday and released on conditions. Sutcivni appeared in court today and was also released on conditions.</p>
<p>As alleged in court documents, from July 2010 to September 2011, Levin submitted fraudulent payment requests to the City of Worcester for funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to purportedly rehabilitate a multi-unit apartment building at 5 May Street in Worcester. Specifically, Levin, as the manager of 5 May Street Apartments, LLC, applied for and obtained federal funds from HUD, through the City of Worcester, to rehabilitate the building. Since the City of Worcester distributes grant funds on behalf of HUD and Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Levin submitted seven payment requests to the City for work he fraudulently claimed he completed on the building and associated costs. Sutcivni, in her job in the City of Worcester’s Housing Development Office, approved the payment requests submitted by Levin although she knew the requests were fraudulent. It is alleged that this caused the City of Worcester to pay approximately $2,365,050 to Levin. After the City issued the payment, Sutcivni or other City officials submitted reimbursement requests to HUD or DHCD for HUD funds.</p>
<p>The charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud each provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $1 million, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States provides for a sentence of no greater than10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of submission of false claims provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The indictment also seeks monetary forfeiture in the amount of $2,365,050. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.</p>
<p>United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Christina Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Regional Office; and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle L. Dineen Jerrett of Ortiz’s Worcester Branch Office.</p>
<p>The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.</p>

Financial Fraud: Cannon Design Conspired to Money Laundering, Multiple Counts of Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud
<h2>Cannon Design to pay $12 million as part of criminal enforcement agreement</h2>
<p>Cannon Design will pay a $12 million penalty, implement a series of corporate reforms and divest itself from a large project in California to resolve the company’s criminal liability for the conduct of more than a dozen employees, including paying bribes and kickbacks to obtain confidential information related to Veterans Affairs construction projects.</p>
<p>As stated in the criminal enforcement agreement, Buffalo-based Cannon has:</p>
<ul>
<li>accepted legal responsibility for the criminal conduct of its employees.</li>
<li>agreed to pay a monetary penalty to the United States of $12 million.</li>
<li>agreed to fully cooperate with the United States.</li>
<li>agreed to divest itself of any involvement in the design of the VA West Los Angeles project, which the VA awarded to a joint venture including Cannon.</li>
<li>made company-wide revisions and enhancements to its compliance program, internal controls, policies and procedure to detect and deter fraud.</li>
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<p>William D. Montague, the former director of the Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, was sentenced earlier this year to nearly five years in prison after being found guilty of 64 counts, including Hobbs Act conspiracy, conspiracy to commit honest services mail fraud, violating the Hobbs Act, money laundering, multiple counts of wire fraud, mail fraud, disclosing public contract information and other charges.</p>
<p>Cannon executive Mark Farmer was sentenced to nearly three years in prison after a federal jury convicted him on 14 counts related to providing things of value to Montague in exchange for confidential information about VA construction projects.</p>
<p>According to court documents:</p>
<p>Montague served as director of the Cleveland VA Medical Center from 1995 through 2010. In 2011, Montague began working as director of the Dayton VA Medical Center.</p>
<p>From January 2010, Montague, Farmer and Cannon conspired to defraud the VA of its right to the honest and faithful service of Montague through bribery and kickbacks and to defraud the VA and other potential VA contractors by means of false and fraudulent pretenses.</p>
<p>Montague secretly used his position as Dayton VA Medical Center director to enrich himself by soliciting and accepting gifts, payments, and other things of value from Cannon in exchange for favorable official actions. He solicited money and a consulting contract from Cannon in exchange for information related to VA contracts and projects, which would benefit Farmer, Cannon and others.</p>
<p>This was done to give Cannon an advantage in obtaining VA contracts and projects. Montague gave false and misleading information to VA employees about his reasons for requesting VA documents and information.</p>
<p>For example, on March 1, 2011, Cannon issued a $20,000 check to Montague. Ten days later, Farmer sent an e-mail to some employees with Montague’s consulting agreement explaining: “His job is to help us bring in more work from the VA, in part by helping us access key decision makers. On March 14, 2011, Farmer sent another e-mail to some employees stating Cannon will end the current “$15 [million VA] IDIQ contract with just slightly over $12M in sales. $3M in fee, therefore, will be left on the table…[O]ne of MONTAGUE’s jobs will be to fill up the bucket by directing task orders toward our contract, Going forward, we have two $15M buckets to fill (Central and Eastern regions). That’s a lot of shoveling to get to $30M…BILL has the relationships to help us maximize the contracts…On the VA ‘major construction’ front here is the list of medical centers and their approximate construction cost in the pipeline: West Los Angeles, CA: $750M; San Francisco, CA: $125M, Reno, NV: $115M, Alameda, CA: $225M. Montague told us about these before they were advertised, which has allowed us to get an early start in developing the team. If we bring him on board, he can help us pull in one or two of these large projects.”</p>
<p>“Companies must never benefit by using public officials to obtain a competitive business advantage,” said Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland Office. “The FBI will continue to root out corruption at all levels.”</p>
<p>“This meaningful agreement holds the corporation accountable for the conduct of its leadership,” said Michael J. Missal, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General (VA OIG). “A $12 million penalty along with 90 months of prison time for related case subjects is a strong deterrent against defrauding VA. We will continue to diligently and aggressively pursue fraud, waste, and abuse for the benefit of our nation’s heroes.”</p>
<p>The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Antoinette T. Bacon and Paul Flannery following an investigation by the FBI and United States Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General.</p>

Financial Fraud: Frank Damico and Richard Morin Pleads Guilty In Fraud Scheme
<h2>Third Defendant in Fraud Scheme Pleads Guilty</h2>
<p>COLUMBUS, Ohio – Richard Morin, 48, of Portland, Connecticut pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court here today to one count of conspiracy, a crime punishable by up to five years in prison, for his role in a scheme that defrauded a Columbus-based company out of between $250,000 and $1,500,000 over the course of a year.</p>
<p>Benjamin C. Glassman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Field Division, announced the plea entered before U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley.</p>
<p>Morin is the final defendant to plead guilty in connection with the fraud. On August 16, 2016, Frank Damico, 52, of Sunbury, Ohio pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kimberly A. Jolson to defrauding Damico’s employer by working for both his employer and a competitor at the same time and using a hunting buddy’s name to hide the fact that he was working for the two competing companies simultaneously.</p>
<p>Damico pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and one count of subornation of perjury, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.</p>
<p>According to a statement of facts presented during Damico’s hearing, Damico was national service manager for Cranel, Inc., a Columbus company that sells and services imaging equipment. In November 2011, Damico agreed to go into business with Morin, who owned Pro Image, a Connecticut company and competitor of Cranel’s. Damico transferred Cranel company documents containing trade secrets and confidential customer data to Pro Image.</p>
<p>Early in 2012, Damico asked Morin set up a Pro Image email account under the name of Josh Fetter, whom court documents describe as a hunting buddy of Damico’s. Fetter agreed after the fact to allow his name to be used, and has admitted to lying to FBI agents and a federal grand jury during the investigation of the fraud.</p>
<p>As “Josh Fetter”, Damico emailed and called existing Cranel customers in other states, persuading approximately 12 of them either switching their business to Pro Image or seeking much lower prices from Cranel.</p>
<p>Fetter, 32, of Ashley, Ohio pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Norah McCann King on June 29, 2016 to one count of criminal contempt and is awaiting sentencing.</p>
<p>Acting U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI and Assistant United States Attorney Deborah A. Solove, who is representing the United States in this case.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdoh/pr/third-defendant-fraud-scheme-pleads-guilty">Original PressReleases &#8230; </a></p>

Financial Fraud: Sylvia Price Pleaded Guilty To A Racketeering Conspiracy and Aggravated Identity Theft
<h2 class="node-title">Member of the Simple City Criminal Organization Pleads Guilty to a Racketeering Conspiracy and Aggravated Identity Theft</h2>
<p class="node-subtitle center"><strong>Used the Identities of More Than 230 Victims to Engage in Fraudulent Financial Transactions</strong></p>
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<p><strong><em>Greenbelt</em></strong>, Maryland – Sylvia Price, a/k/a “Deez Nuts,” age 50, of Suitland, Maryland pleaded guilty today to conspiring to participate in a racketeering conspiracy and to aggravated identity theft, in connection with her activities in the Simple City Criminal Organization (SCCO), a racketeering enterprise engaged in fraud and related activity, including vehicle theft and interstate transportation of stolen property. Specifically, Sylvia Price admitted that she engaged in fraudulent financial transactions, using the identities of over 230 victims, with losses to the victims of SCCO’s activities of at least $453,900.</p>
<p>The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Kevin Perkins of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George’s County Police Department; and Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police Department.</p>
<p>According to her plea agreement, from at least 2009 to July 2015, Price and her conspirators met on a regular basis and planned criminal activity, including vehicle theft, the interstate transportation of stolen property, identity theft and credit/debit card fraud. The SCCO received money and income from those criminal activities.</p>
<p>For example, Sylvia Price received stolen pocketbooks containing checks, credit and debit cards, and other forms of identification, such as driver’s licenses, from other members of SCCO. Price and other conspirators used the stolen items to conduct fraudulent <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://www.fraudswatch.com/tag/financial-fraud/" title="financial" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="588">financial</a> transactions. The money obtained from those transactions was given to Price, who then provided a portion to another SCCO member, to divide with the co-conspirators who stole the pocketbooks. Law enforcement intercepted communications between Price and another SCCO member in which they discuss providing handbags stolen from automobiles to Price.</p>
<p>On July 16, 2015, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Price’s home in Suitland and recovered checkbooks and means of identifications of individuals who had reported their vehicles stolen, or had reported a theft of those items from their vehicle. In addition, law enforcement recovered 95 women’s designer handbags worth approximately $53,000, as well as gift cards totaling approximately $1,180.</p>
<p>As part of her plea agreement, Sylvia Price will be required to forfeit and pay restitution of at least $453,900, the full amount of the victims’ losses.</p>
<p>Sylvia Price faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the racketeering conspiracy, and a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, for aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel has scheduled sentencing for November 21, 2016, at 2:30 p.m.</p>
<p>Co-defendants Stefon Janey, a/k/a “Stef,” and “Stef Luva,” age 23, of Marlow Heights, Maryland, Jessica Rubio, age 38, of Washington, D.C. previously pleaded guilty to their participation in the racketeering conspiracy. Rubio also pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft. Judge Hazel sentenced Janey to 27 months in prison, and Rubio to 40 months in prison.</p>
<p>United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI, Prince George’s County Police Department, Montgomery County Police Department and the members of the Washington Area Vehicle Enforcement Unit for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas M. Sullivan and Nicolas A. Mitchell, who are prosecuting the case.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/member-simple-city-criminal-organization-pleads-guilty-racketeering-conspiracy-and">Original PressReleases &#8230;</a></p>
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Financial Fraud: Reginald Perkins Sentenced For Money Laundering Scheme
<h2>Inmate Sentenced for Operating a Fake Jury Duty Money Laundering Scheme from Georgia State Prison</h2>
<p>ATLANTA &#8211; Autry State Prison inmate Reginald Perkins has been sentenced to 12 years and seven months in prison for laundering $1 million in fraud proceeds arising from a “jury duty” telemarketing scam conducted by inmates at Georgia Department of Corrections (GDOC) prisons.</p>
<p>“Prisons should be the one place where we have confidence that multi-million-dollar telemarketing schemes are not being conducted,” said U. S. Attorney John Horn. “Cases like this show how much needs to be done to make sure that those who are convicted and sentenced to prison are not still victimizing citizens from behind bars. We are working with state and federal law enforcement to eradicate the illegal use of cell phones and fraud in our Georgia state prisons, and will continue to prosecute offenders, whether they are in or out of prison.”</p>
<p>“This case showcases the criminal possibilities available to inmates with cell phones/smartphones and, with today’s sentencing of Mr. Perkins, it also illustrates the punishment available to those inmates who obtain and use them. The FBI will continue to work with its various law enforcement partners in not only addressing these types of inmate based crimes but also in preventing inmates access to these cell phones that provide the means to do so much harm to the unsuspecting public,” said J. Britt Johnson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office.</p>
<p>According to U.S. Attorney Horn, the charges and other information presented in court: Perkins laundered fraud proceeds while incarcerated at Jimmy Autry State Prison in Pelham, Georgia, which is a Georgia Department of Corrections medium security prison and houses approximately 1,700 adult male inmates.</p>
<p>While Perkins was serving his sentence at Autry, inmates regularly obtained cellular telephones. For example, from 2014 to 2015, officials seized more than 23,500 cellular telephones from inside Georgia state prisons. Many of the seized cellular telephones possessed Internet capabilities and the latest smartphone features. The possession of cellular telephones by inmates creates a significant risk to prison security and to public safety, as inmates used contraband cellular telephones to commit various criminal acts while incarcerated.</p>
<p>Inmates used contraband cellular telephones from inside Autry to access Internet websites to identify the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of potential fraud victims. Using the cellular telephones, inmates called the victims whose names and numbers had been obtained. During these calls, the inmates made certain false representations to the victims, including (a) that the inmates were law enforcement officials; (b) that the victims had unlawfully failed to appear for jury duty; (c) that because the victims had failed to appear for jury duty, warrants had been issued for the victims’ arrest; and (d) that the victims had a choice of being arrested on the warrants or pay fines to have the arrest warrants dismissed. To make the calls seem real, the inmates created fictitious voicemail greetings on their contraband cellular telephones, identifying themselves as members of legitimate law enforcement agencies.</p>
<p>For those victims who wanted to pay a fine, the inmates instructed them to purchase pre-paid cash cards and provide the account number of the cash card or wire money directly into a pre-paid debit card account held by the inmates. Based on these false representations, the victims electronically transferred money to the inmates because they believed that the funds would be used to pay the fine for failing to appear for jury duty and would result in the dismissal of the arrest warrant.</p>
<p>Perkins admitted that he would take the account number of the pre-paid cash card and contacted his co-conspirators, who were not incarcerated, to have those individuals transfer the money from the cash card purchased by the victims to a pre-paid debit card possessed by the co-conspirators. Next, the co-conspirators withdrew the victim’s money, which had been transferred to the pre-paid debit card they controlled, via an automated teller machine or at a retail store. Typically, the co-conspirators then laundered the stolen money by purchasing a new cash card so that the victims’ funds could be transferred back to the inmates. Perkins worked with about 100 individuals outside of the prison and laundered approximately $1 million in proceeds from fraud and other illegal schemes.</p>
<p>Reginald Perkins, 36, of Atlanta, Georgia, has been sentenced to 12 years, seven months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Perkins was convicted on these charges on March 22, 2016, after he pleaded guilty.</p>
<p>This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.</p>
<p>Assistant United States Attorney Christopher J. Huber prosecuted the case.</p>
<p>For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s</p>
<p><a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/inmate-sentenced-operating-fake-jury-duty-money-laundering-scheme-georgia-state-prison">Original PressReleases &#8230;</a></p>

Financial Fraud: Jeffrey Robert Bonner Plead Guilty of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud
<h2>Owner of Costa Rican Call Center and Two Others Plead Guilty to Defrauding Elderly through Offshore Sweepstakes Scheme</h2>
<p>Two U.S. citizens and a Canadian citizen have pleaded guilty for their roles in a $9 million “sweepstakes fraud” scheme to defraud hundreds of U.S. residents, many of them elderly, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Jill Westmoreland Rose of the Western District of North Carolina.</p>
<p>Jeffrey Robert Bonner, 37, of Sacramento, California; Cody Trevor Burgsteiner, 33, of Houston; and Darra Lee Shephard, 57, of Calgary, Alberta, pleaded guilty this week before U.S. Magistrate Judge David Keesler of the Western District of North Carolina to various counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and international money laundering, all in connection with a Costa Rican telemarketing fraud scheme. Sentencing dates have not been set.</p>
<p>As part of their guilty pleas, Bonner, Burgsteiner and Shephard each admitted that from approximately 2007 through November 2012, they worked in a call center located in Costa Rica, which Bonner owned, where they placed telephone calls to U.S. residents, falsely informing them that they had won a substantial cash prize in a “sweepstakes.” The victims, many of whom were elderly, were told that in order to receive the prize, they had to pay for a purported “refundable insurance fee,” the defendants admitted. Bonner, Burgsteiner and Shephard admitted that once they received the money, they contacted the victims again to tell them that their prize amount had increased, due to either a clerical error or because other winners had been disqualified. The victims were then told to send additional money to pay for new purported fees, duties and insurance to receive the now larger sweepstakes prize, the defendants admitted. The defendants further admitted that they and their co-conspirators continued their attempts to collect additional money from the victims until an individual either ran out of money or discovered the fraudulent nature of the scheme. To mask that they were calling from Costa Rica, the conspirators utilized voice over internet protocol (VoIP) phones that displayed a 202 area code, giving the false impression that they were calling from Washington, D.C., they admitted. According to admissions made in connections with their pleas, the defendants, and their co-conspirators often falsely claimed that they were calling on behalf of a U.S. federal agency to lure victims into a false sense of security.</p>
<p>Bonner, Burgsteiner, Shephard and their co-conspirators were responsible for causing approximately $9 million in losses to hundreds of U.S. citizens.</p>
<p>The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, FBI, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Federal Trade Commission and Department of Homeland Security investigated the case, and the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section supervised the investigation. Senior Litigation Counsel Patrick Donley and Trial Attorneys William Bowne and Gustav Eyler of the Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/owner-costa-rican-call-center-and-two-others-plead-guilty-defrauding-elderly-through-offshore">Original PressReleases &#8230;</a></p>

Financial Fraud: Domenico Procope Was Indicted for Bribery of a Public Official
<h2>Delaware Restaurant Owner Indicted for Attempting to Bribe an IRS Employee</h2>
<p>On June 7, 2016, in the District of Delaware, Domenico Procope was indicted for bribery of a public official. Procope had been arrested on May 18, 2016, for knowingly and corruptly offering and promising something of value to an employee of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with the intent to influence official acts.</p>
<p>According to the court documents, Procope is a Delaware resident who owns and operates several restaurant establishments in the State. Procope had accumulated a significant business-related and personal income tax liability, which, as of February 2016, had grown to a total liability of approximately $531,000. Of that amount, Procope’s personal liability was approximate $434,000.</p>
<p>Around October 2015, an IRS revenue officer was assigned to Procope’s IRS case and was working to resolve his tax liabilities. In December 2015, the revenue officer requested a personal <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://www.fraudswatch.com/tag/financial-fraud/" title="financial" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="586">financial</a> statement from Procope. When Procope failed to provide the requested documentation, the revenue officer issued a Notice of Levy to the insurance company that maintains Procope’s retirement account. As a result, approximately $16,000 was turned over to the IRS from Procope’s retirement account.</p>
<p>Prompted by the levy on his retirement account, in February 2016, Procope communicated with the revenue officer several times by telephone and in person to discuss his income tax liability. During these contacts, Procope offered to pay the IRS revenue officer a sum of money in exchange for the revenue officer’s taking the official action of reducing or eliminating his income tax liabilities with the IRS. [5] Specifically, Procope told the revenue officer he wanted “this to go away,” referring to his personal tax liability. Procope indicated he was not interested in submitting an offer in compromise to settle his IRS debts and told the revenue officer that he would give her $70,000 to make his tax debt “go away.”</p>
<p>During a personal meeting at Procope’s place of business in Bear, Delaware, immediately after the departure of Procope’s accountant from the meeting, Procope reiterated that he had $70,000 to resolve his tax debt. Procope proposed he pay $40,000 to the Government and $30,000 in cash for the revenue officer. Procope said the cash payment would be in exchange for a reduction in his IRS tax liabilities and indicated that he expected the revenue officer, in her official capacity, to cause the IRS to issue a letter stating he had satisfied his personal liability of approximately $434,000.</p>
<p>The following day, the revenue officer again met with Procope. During this meeting, Procope gave the revenue officer a check in the amount of $40,000, made payable to the IRS, with the memo of “paid in full” written on the check. Additionally, he gave the revenue officer $30,000 in cash. At the end of the meeting, Procope requested to meet with the revenue officer one or two weeks later to resolve his business-related tax debt.</p>
<p>Procope could face a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment. Additional legal proceedings are anticipated.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/oi_highlights.shtml#107">Original PressReleases&#8230;</a></p>

Financial Fraud: Jeffrey Nowak and Ramzi Suliman Conspiracy to Defraud In Filing False Corporate Tax Returns and Tax Evasion
<h2>Former Nevada Liquor Store Owner Convicted of Conspiracy to Defraud the United States, Assisting in Filing False Corporate Returns and Tax Evasion</h2>
<p class="rtecenter"><strong><em>Skimmed Cash and Gave Preparer False Set of Books to Evade Reporting Nearly $4 Million in Sales</em></strong></p>
<p>A federal jury sitting in the District of Nevada found the former co-owner of three Las Vegas, Nevada, liquor stores guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States, assisting in filing false corporate tax returns and tax evasion, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo, head of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden of the District of Nevada.</p>
<p>According to the evidence at trial, Jeffrey Nowak and his co-defendant, Ramzi Suliman, jointly owned and operated liquor stores in Las Vegas. At their first liquor store, Super Liquor Store South Strip, Nowak and Suliman conspired to skim cash receipts and maintain a double set of books in order to underreport income to their accountant and tax return preparer. One set of books was an accurate accounting of sales, while the second set of books fraudulently omitted nearly $4 million in cash receipts skimmed from the business. Nowak and Suliman provided the fraudulent books to their accountant-return preparer, causing the return preparer to create false corporate tax returns that underreported gross receipts and taxable income. Nowak and Suliman also had their individual income tax returns prepared to falsely underreport their income and tax owed. For tax years 2006 to 2009, Nowak reported a total income tax owed of only $313, when in fact, Nowak owed more than $400,000. The total tax loss from the conspiracy is near $1 million.</p>
<p>“Cash sales are not an opportunity for business owners to shortchange the government or produce multiple sets of books,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo. “Owners are subject to the same legal obligations that their W-2 employees comply with every pay period – they must accurately report their income to the IRS and pay their fair share of taxes. As Mr. Nowak learned today, if they refuse to do so, the Department of Justice and the IRS will work to see that they are identified and held accountable.”</p>
<p>“When business owners willfully skim cash and cause their true income to be underreported to the IRS, they are stealing from the U.S. Treasury,” said U.S. Attorney Bogden. “The IRS and our office take these cases seriously, and we will continue to seek judgments, injunctions, and criminal convictions that often carry substantial prison sentences, restitution, and <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://www.fraudswatch.com/tag/financial-fraud/" title="financial" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="584">financial</a> penalties.”</p>
<p>“The license to run a business is not a license to avoid paying taxes,” said Special Agent in Charge Tara Sullivan for the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI). “Mr. Nowak’s misconduct, skimming nearly $4 million from his business and filing false tax returns, cheated all Americans since we all pay our fair share for the government services and protections that we enjoy.”</p>
<p>A sentencing date has been scheduled for Nov. 17. Nowak faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison on the charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States, five years on each charge of tax evasion and three years on each charge of assisting in the preparation and filing of false tax returns. He also faces supervised release and substantial monetary penalties. Suliman pleaded guilty in July 2014 to conspiring to defraud the United States and is awaiting sentencing.</p>
<p>Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo and U.S. Attorney Bogden commended special agents of IRS-CI, who investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn C. Newman for the District of Nevada and Trial Attorney Eric C. Schmale of the Tax Division, who prosecuted the case.</p>
<p>Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s <a href="https://www.justice.gov/tax">website</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-nevada-liquor-store-owner-convicted-conspiracy-defraud-united-states-assisting-filing">Original PressReleases &#8230;</a></p>

Financial Fraud: Larry Thornton Sentenced For Failing to Pay Employment Taxes
<h2>Tennessee Business Owner Sentenced to Prison for Failing to Pay More Than $8 Million in Employment Taxes</h2>
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<p class="rtecenter"><strong><em>Spent $6.2 million on Personal Expenses from Business Accounts while Failing to Pay U.S. Treasury</em></strong></p>
<p>A Germantown, Tennessee, resident and business owner was sentenced today to one year in prison and ordered to pay more than $10 million in restitution for failing to pay over employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo, head of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Edward L. Stanton III of the Western District of Tennessee.</p>
<p>“Payment of employment taxes is not optional,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo. “Nor are such withholdings an interest-free source of money to be tapped to make payments on lavish personal expenses. The sentence that Mr. Thornton received today reflects not just the harm that his actions caused to the U.S. Treasury but also the <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://www.fraudswatch.com/tag/financial-fraud/" title="financial" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="583">financial</a> risks he placed on his employees by deliberately not filing their W-2 forms with Social Security on a timely basis.”</p>
<p>According to court documents, Larry Thornton, 67, was the majority owner, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Software Earnings, Inc. (SEI), a Memphis company that produced and installed check processing. Thornton was also the 100 percent owner, CEO and president of First Touch Payment Solutions, LLC (First Touch), a Memphis company that provided merchant services for credit card processing. Thornton, as CEO and president of SEI and First Touch, had ultimate and final decision-making authority regarding SEI’s and First Touch’s business activities and had authority to exercise significant control over SEI’s financial affairs. Thornton admitted that he was responsible for collecting, accounting for, and paying over to the IRS federal income taxes and Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes that were withheld from the wages of SEI and First Touch’s employees.</p>
<p>Beginning in the second quarter of 2007, Thornton caused SEI to stop paying the taxes required to be withheld from SEI’s employees’ paychecks and caused SEI to stop timely filing Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Returns, Forms 941, with the IRS. Beginning in the first quarter of 2010, Thornton caused First Touch to stop paying the taxes required to be withheld from First Touch’s employees’ paychecks and caused First Touch to fail to timely file Forms 941 with the IRS. Between 2007 and 2011, Thornton collected more than $6.8 million in employment taxes from SEI and First Touch employees’ paychecks but failed to pay those collected taxes over to the IRS. Thornton also failed to pay his companies’ matching share of FICA taxes during those years. During that time period, two of Thornton’s full-time accountants – both of whom were certified public accountants (CPAs) – warned Thornton about his failure to pay over employment taxes. Both CPAs resigned their positions due to Thornton’s unwillingness to comply with his employment tax obligations.</p>
<p>During the same years in which Thornton failed to comply with his employment tax obligations, Thornton spent more than $6.2 million from the business bank accounts on personal expenses, including house and condominium payments; vehicle, yacht and motorcycle <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://www.fraudswatch.com/category/loans/" title="loan" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="218">loan</a> payments; personal travel; and start-up funding for his wife’s beauty boutique. According to court documents, Thornton also failed to file personal and corporate income tax returns. As part of the guilty plea, Thornton admitted that his illegal conduct caused a tax loss of more than $8.9 million to the IRS.</p>
<p>“Larry Thornton’s efforts to conceal from IRS millions of dollars generated by his businesses afforded him a plush lifestyle for several years,” said U.S. Attorney Stanton. “But his illegal and illicit acts also have earned him a stint in federal prison and a multimillion-dollar restitution fee. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to pursue and bring to justice anyone who violates the nation’s tax laws.”</p>
<p>“Employment tax evasion results in the loss of tax revenue to the U.S. government and the loss of future social security or Medicare benefits for the employees,” said Special Agent in Charge Tracey D. Montaño of IRS Criminal Investigation (CI). “Failure to pay over withheld taxes is a serious offense. Corporate executives like Mr. Thornton have a responsibility to withhold income taxes for their employees and then remit those taxes to the IRS. IRS Criminal Investigation will vigorously pursue anyone who collects these taxes and uses the funds for their own personal gain.”</p>
<p>In addition to the prison term, Thornton was ordered to serve two years of supervised release. Thornton was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $10,822,728.99 to the IRS.</p>
<p>Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo and U.S. Attorney Stanton commended special agents of IRS–CI, who investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Damon Griffin of the Western District of Tennessee and Trial Attorney Robert J. Boudreau of the Tax Division, who prosecuted the case.</p>
<p>Additional information about the Tax Division and its employment tax enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s <a href="https://www.justice.gov/tax">website</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/tennessee-business-owner-sentenced-prison-failing-pay-more-8-million-employment-taxes">Original PressReleases &#8230;</a></p>
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Financial Fraud: Bryan D’Antonio Pleaded Guilty For Conspiracy To Commit Mail and Wire Fraud
<h2>Orange County Man Pleads Guilty to Owning Fake Law Firms that Falsely Promised to Help Struggling Homeowners</h2>
<p><em>SANTA ANA, California</em> – A Brea man pleaded guilty this morning to federal charges related to his role as the owner and operator of a multi-million dollar fraudulent mortgage modification scheme that posed as a successful law firm to defraud struggling homeowners.</p>
<p>Bryan D’Antonio, 50, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for his role as owner and operator of Rodis Law Group (RLG) and America’s Law Group (ALG).</p>
<p>D’Antonio pleaded guilty before United States District Judge David O. Carter, who is scheduled to sentence the defendant on January 30, 2017.</p>
<p>“D’Antonio preyed on vulnerable victims – struggling homeowners,” said United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker. “Pretending to offer legal assistance to their victims, D’Antonio and his cohorts actually offered nothing but false hopes and empty promises. Now, he will be held accountable in federal court for the damage he has caused so many victims.”</p>
<p>D’Antonio admitted that, between October 2008 and June 2009, he participated in a scheme that induced homeowners to pay as much as $5,500 for the services of RLG and its successor entity, ALG. RLG and ALG advertised on radio stations across the country and urging struggling homeowners to call a toll-free number. The companies purportedly consisted of “a team of experienced attorneys” who were “highly skilled in negotiating lower interest rates and even lowering your principal balance.”</p>
<p>In fact, RLG and ALG were telemarketing operations that never had teams of experienced attorneys. During much of the scheme, one man – co-defendant Ronald Rodis – was the only attorney at RLG.</p>
<p>In a plea agreement filed in federal court, D’Antonio admitted that the RLG and ALG schemes fraudulently obtained approximately $9 million from more than 1,500 victims.</p>
<p>“At the height of the <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://www.fraudswatch.com/category/mortgage/" title="mortgage" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="61">mortgage</a> crisis, this defendant, a convicted felon who was prohibited from any business engaged in telemarketing, created two fake law firms that promised struggling homeowners assistance saving their homes and modifying their mortgages,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Despite the many promises, these were telemarketing sales operations that took homeowners’ money and provided no meaningful assistance.”</p>
<p>D’Antonio was previously convicted of mail and wire fraud and sentenced to four years in federal prison for his participation in a medical billing scheme. He was also subject to a permanent injunction prohibiting him from having any involvement with any business that engaged in telemarketing or misrepresented the services it would provide. In conjunction with his guilty plea today, D’Antonio admitted that he started RLG while he was still on supervised release from his prior conviction. In violation of D’Antonio’s permanent injunction, RLG and ALG sold their services through an extensive telemarketing operation and employees routinely misrepresented the services RLG and ALG would provide. The telemarketers did not disclose to homeowners that RLG and ALG were owned and operated by D’Antonio, who was prohibited from engaging in telemarketing</p>
<p>RLG and ALG telemarketers working for D’Antonio made numerous misrepresentations regarding the companies’ ability to negotiate <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://www.fraudswatch.com/category/loans/" title="loan" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="217">loan</a> modifications from the homeowners’ mortgage lenders. For example, the telemarketers stated that RLG and ALG had been in business for 11 years when in fact the company had only opened in October 2008. They falsely stated that RLG and ALG routinely obtained positive results for homeowners, including lower monthly payments, reductions in principal balance and lower interest rates. In fact, positive results were rarely achieved for any RLG or ALG clients. Telemarketers also falsely reiterated that homeowners would have a team of attorneys and real estate professionals assigned to their case.</p>
<p>D’Antonio’s co-defendants, <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/southern-california-man-pleads-guilty-his-role-sales-manager-fraudulent-mortgage"><u>Charles Wayne Farris</u></a> and <a href="file://usacacsfile21/USERS/TMROZEK/releases/D%E2%80%99Antonio%E2%80%99s%20co-defendants,%20Charles%20Wayne%20Farris%20and%20Ronald%20Rodis,%20both%20previously%20pleaded%20guilty%20to%20one%20count%20of%20conspiracy%20to%20commit%20mail%20and%20wire%20fraud."><u>Ronald Rodis</u></a>, both previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.</p>
<p>This case was investigated by the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. McNally and Trial Attorney John W. Burke of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/orange-county-man-pleads-guilty-owning-fake-law-firms-falsely-promised-help-struggling">Original PressReleases</a>&#8230;</p>

Financial Fraud: Robert Pena Was Indicted On Conspiracy And Wire Fraud Charges
<h2>Mortgage Company President Charged with Defrauding Ginnie Mae</h2>
<p>BOSTON – The president and founder of a Falmouth mortgage company was charged in U.S. District Court in Boston in connection with defrauding the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae) out of nearly $3 million.</p>
<p>Robert Pena, 67, the president and founder of the now-defunct mortgage company, Mortgage Security, Inc. (MSI), was indicted on conspiracy and wire fraud charges. Pena was arrested today and will appear in before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Marianne B. Bowler this afternoon.</p>
<p>The charges arise out of Pena’s alleged scheme to defraud Ginnie Mae, the government-run corporation which makes housing more affordable by injecting capital into the U.S. housing market. Ginnie Mae guarantees the timely payment of principal and interest to investors in bonds backed by government-sponsored <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://www.fraudswatch.com/category/mortgage/" title="mortgage" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="56">mortgage</a> loans, such as those offered by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).</p>
<p>According to court documents, MSI was contracted with Ginnie Mae to pool eligible residential mortgage loans and then sell Ginnie Mae-backed mortgage bonds to investors. MSI was responsible for servicing the loans in the pools it created, including collecting principal and interest payments from borrowers, as well as <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://www.fraudswatch.com/category/loans/" title="loan" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="212">loan</a> payoffs, and placing those funds into accounts held in trust by Ginnie Mae, which would ultimately pass them along to investors. Among other things, Ginnie Mae required issuers like MSI to provide regular reports to Ginnie Mae concerning the status of the loans in the pools.</p>
<p>According to the indictment, beginning in 2011, Pena began diverting money that borrowers were sending to MSI. Specifically, he is alleged to have deposited large-dollar, loan-payoff checks into secret accounts unknown to Ginnie Mae and then using those funds for his own personal and business uses. Pena also diverted borrowers’ escrow funds and mortgage-insurance premiums for his own use. In total, Pena took nearly $3 million, which Ginnie Mae then had to pay the investors whose investments it had guaranteed. Pena also attempted to cover up his scheme by providing false reports to Ginnie Mae about the status of the loans MSI was servicing.</p>
<p>The charge of conspiracy provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.</p>
<p>United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Christina Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Regional Office; and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. The U.S. Attorney’s Office wishes to acknowledge the invaluable assistance of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General and the Falmouth Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric P. Christofferson and Brian LaMacchia of Ortiz’s Economic Crimes Unit and Civil Division, respectively.</p>
<p>The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/mortgage-company-president-charged-defrauding-ginnie-mae">Original PressReleases&#8230;</a></p>

Health Care Fraud: Kirtish N. Patel And Nita K. Patel Were Sentenced For Health Care Fraud Scheme
<h2 class="node-title">Morris County, New Jersey, Husband And Wife Sentenced To Prison For Falsifying Thousands Of Medical Diagnostic Reports As Part Of $4.8 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme</h2>
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<p>NEWARK, N.J. – Two Rockaway, New Jersey, residents who owned a mobile diagnostic testing company were each sentenced today to over six years in prison for receiving more than $4.8 million from <strong>Medicare</strong> and private insurance companies for diagnostic testing and reports that were never interpreted by a licensed physician, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.</p>
<p>Kirtish N. Patel, 54, and Nita K. Patel, 53, were sentenced to 100 and 78 months in prison, respectively. Both defendants previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William H. Walls to separate informations charging them each with one count of <strong>health care fraud</strong>. Judge Walls imposed the sentences today in in Newark federal court.</p>
<p><strong>According to the documents filed in the case and statements made in Court:</strong></p>
<p>From 2006 through June 2014, Kirtish and Nita Patel owned and operated Biosound Medical Services Inc. and Heart Solutions (collectively, “Biosound”), of Parsippany, New Jersey, which were mobile diagnostic companies and approved <em>Medicare</em> providers. The companies provided mobile diagnostic testing, including ultrasounds, echocardiograms and nerve conduction studies that were used to diagnose heart defects, blood clots, abdominal aortic aneurysms and other serious medical conditions.</p>
<p>Biosound technicians would travel to the office of a primary care physician in the New York and New Jersey area to conduct diagnostic testing. Biosound was responsible for sending the tests to a “reading physician” – an appropriate specialist who would interpret the results. After the reading physician prepared a report, Biosound was responsible for providing it to the referring physician. Biosound was paid millions of dollars by Medicare and other payors for the diagnostic testing, the reading physician’s interpretation of the results and the reports.</p>
<p>Kirtish Patel admitted to, from October 2008 through June 2014, fraudulently interpreting and writing diagnostic reports produced by Biosound despite having no medical license and knowing that the reports would be used by the referring physicians to make important patient treatment decisions. Nita Patel admitted assisting her husband in forging physician signatures on the fraudulently produced reports to make them appear legitimate. Kirtish and Nita Patel Patel also admitted falsely representing to Medicare that the neurological testing performed by Biosound was being supervised by a licensed neurologist.</p>
<p>More than 10,000 diagnostic reports generated by Biosound between October 2008 and June 2014 were never actually reviewed or interpreted by a physician. Kirtish and Nita Patel were paid more than $4.8 million by Medicare and private insurance companies for the fraudulent reports, which they used for personal expenses, including multiple residences and luxury vehicles.</p>
<p>Judge Walls also ordered Kirtish and Nita Patel to serve three years of supervised release, forfeit $4,803,875.40, and pay restitution of $4,803,875.40.</p>
<p>Pursuant to a civil judgment entered in July 2016, U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler ordered Nita and Kirtish Patel, Biosound Medical Services and Heart solutions to pay the United States $5 million in damages and $2.75 million in civil monetary penalties.</p>
<p>U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert, and the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher in Newark, with the investigation.</p>
<p>The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Alfonzo Walsman of the U.S. Attorney’s Health Care and Government Fraud Unit in Newark.</p>
<p>U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman reorganized the health care fraud practice at the New Jersey U.S. Attorney’s Office shortly after taking office, including creating a stand-alone Health Care and Government Fraud Unit to handle both criminal and civil investigations and prosecutions of health care fraud offenses. Since 2010, the office has recovered more than $1.31 billion in health care fraud and government fraud settlements, judgments, fines, restitution and forfeiture under the False Claims Act, the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and other statutes.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/morris-county-new-jersey-husband-and-wife-sentenced-prison-falsifying-thousands-medical">Original PressReleases&#8230;</a></p>
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