Related Federal Cases
- Arizona Federal Prosecutor Mobilizes Against Voter Fraud · Washington
- Arizona Man Gets 120 Months for Student Aid Fraud · Colorado
- Elaine Monique Zavala-Charres Pleads Guilty to $260K IRS Fraud Scheme · New York
- Heroin & Meth Haul Lands Arizona Couple in Idaho Lockup · Washington
- Young Sentenced for Afghanistan Contract Fraud · Florida
Former Arizona State Representative Sentenced to 27 Months for Wire Fraud and Tax Evasion
A 27-month prison sentence has been handed down to former Arizona State Representative Richard David Miranda for defrauding a charity of more than $140,000 and evading income tax related to those unlawfully obtained funds.
Miranda, 55, of Tolleson, Ariz., served as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives for the 13th District from 2011 until his resignation, effective February 20, 2012. He previously served as a member of the Arizona State Senate from 2002 until 2011, and the Arizona House of Representatives from 1999 until 2002.
As executive director of Centro Adelante Campesino Inc., a non-profit charitable organization, Miranda admitted to initiating a scheme to wind down the charity, sell its sole remaining asset, and use the proceeds for personal expenses. He removed the charity’s volunteer accountant as an authorized signer and assumed sole control of the charity’s accounts and financial records.
Miranda admitted to withdrawing $144,576 from the charity’s credit union account within one week of the wire transfer and using the funds to pay off personal credit card debts totaling more than $60,000. He failed to report the proceeds of the sale as income on his IRS Form 1040 for calendar year 2007.
Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer, Special Agent in Charge James L. Turgal of the FBI’s Phoenix Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Dawn Mertz of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Phoenix office announced the sentence. Miranda was ordered to pay a total of $230,342 in restitution.
This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Monique T. Abrishami and Brian A. Lichter of the Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Frederick A. Battista of the District of Arizona. The case is being investigated by agents from the FBI Phoenix Field Office and IRS-CI Phoenix Office.
Key Facts
- State: Arizona
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
