Tailiang Li, Structuring Currency Deals, California 2013

A San Francisco man, Tailiang Li, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for structuring cash transactions in a bid to evade reporting requirements, announced United States Attorney Melinda Haag and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge José M. Martinez.

Li, 63, of San Francisco, pleaded guilty on August 6, 2013, to structuring financial transactions at a domestic financial institution with the purpose of avoiding the currency reporting requirements. Between February 14, 2008 and May 1, 2009, Li purchased, with cash, 174 – $1,000 money orders ($174,000) from the United States Postal Service. He purchased money orders from the following post offices: Millbrae Main Station, Chinatown Station, Sunset Station, Irving Station, Golden Gate Station, Steiner Station, and Geary Station.

Li typically purchased money orders from at least two or more post offices in one day. However, if he did purchase money orders from the same post office on the same day, he took particular care not to purchase from the same window clerk.

Li was charged on February 12, 2013 with 20 counts of structuring transactions to evade reporting requirements. He pleaded guilty to 2 counts. Li was also ordered to forfeit $174,000. This sum represents the funds that were involved in the structuring violations.

Thomas Moore is the Assistant United States Attorney who is prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation.

Li’s sentencing comes after a lengthy investigation that began in 2008. During that time, he structured over $174,000 in cash transactions through various post offices in San Francisco.

Li’s prison sentence is a result of his guilty plea and the evidence presented by the prosecution. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of reporting requirements and the consequences of attempting to evade them.

Li is currently serving his 12-month sentence. The case is a prime example of the efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat financial crimes and protect the integrity of the financial system.

Related Federal Cases