Kamran Azizi, 59, of Danville, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to defraud the United States, admitting he siphoned over $250,000 in donations meant for a Northern California Sufi Islamic organization and hid the income from federal tax authorities.
Federal prosecutors say Azizi, who compiled donations for Maktab Tarighe Oveyssi Shahmaghsoudi (MTO) from 2005 to 2008, funneled the money for his personal benefit with the help of co-conspirator Hedyeh Shoar, also known as Hedyeh Azizi, his wife until 2007. The pair systematically concealed the stolen funds from their tax preparer and filed false federal returns to cover their tracks.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by Brian J. Stretch, and IRS Criminal Investigation, headed by Special Agent in Charge Michael T. Batdorf, announced the plea in San Francisco. Azizi admitted to his role in the conspiracy during a court appearance, marking the culmination of a years-long investigation into financial misconduct at the religious nonprofit.
Originally indicted on one count of conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. § 371 and two counts of filing false tax returns under 26 U.S.C. § 7206(1), Azizi agreed to plead guilty only to the conspiracy charge. The two counts of filing false returns were dropped as part of the plea deal.
He is scheduled for sentencing on June 23, 2017, before U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria. The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and potential supervised release. Any sentence will be determined under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael G. Pitman is handling the prosecution. The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation, which continues to scrutinize financial practices within nonprofit and religious organizations across the Northern District of California.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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