WASHINGTON D.C. – A 73-year-old D.C. businessman is facing federal charges after allegedly dodging taxes on a multi-million dollar retail operation. Ramon Roque, owner of the “All American Papers” chain, was arrested today and hauled before a judge, accused of a brazen scheme to cheat the U.S. government.
According to a criminal indictment unsealed today, Roque and a co-defendant operated a network of retail stores under various names – including All American Papers, All American Bakery & Café, All American D.C., American Legends, and All American Sole – effectively running them as a single enterprise despite multiple registrations and bank accounts. Between 2018 and 2020, these businesses raked in at least $14 million in revenue.
But the money didn’t find its way to the IRS. The indictment alleges Roque and his partner didn’t file a single federal income tax return for those three years. The scheme went beyond mere omission, prosecutors say. They allegedly used a labyrinth of business names, multiple Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), and even falsified information to banks and payroll companies, all in an effort to hide income from the government’s view. They also allegedly structured cash deposits to avoid triggering reporting requirements.
“This wasn’t an oversight; it was a calculated effort to defraud the United States,” stated Kareem Carter, Executive Special Agent in Charge of the IRS – Criminal Investigation (CI), Washington, D.C. Field Office. “They built a successful business, then systematically tried to hide the profits.” Roque was released pending a hearing on July 25 before U.S. District Court Judge Beryl A. Howell. Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Borchert is prosecuting the case.
Roque is charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States government in the assessment and collection of taxes, and three counts of failure to file income tax returns for the years 2018, 2019, and 2020. If convicted of conspiracy, he faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Each failure to file charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a $25,000 fine. These are statutory maximums; the actual sentence will be determined by the court.
The IRS-CI led the investigation, digging into the financial records of the All American Papers enterprise. This case serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly successful businesses aren’t above the law, and the IRS will pursue those who attempt to skirt their tax obligations. Case number: 24cr270. Stay tuned to Grimy Times for updates as this case unfolds.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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