Leticia Gonzalez, Embezzlement, Rhode Island 2013

Leticia Gonzalez, a 40-year-old Providence resident and manager of a local barber shop, pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $230,000 in federal tax refunds. Gonzalez admitted to depositing 38 United States Treasury checks totaling over $200,000 into the barber shop account between April 2011 and May 2012.

Additionally, Gonzalez admitted to depositing at least four electronic tax refunds in the names of third parties into bank accounts she controlled. The total amount of Treasury funds fraudulently converted by Gonzalez is approximately $231,065.

An analysis of the bank account revealed that approximately $128,000 in cash was withdrawn from the account during the same period, with numerous purchases made at various retail establishments in the Providence area.

According to information presented to the court, an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agent examined a random sample of ten tax returns associated with the refund checks. All ten were determined to be associated with fraudulent income tax returns, using false W-2 information and the names and social security numbers of people living in Puerto Rico.

The IRS agent contacted each of the employers listed on the Forms W-2, and in every instance, the employer confirmed that the listed person never worked at their company.

Gonzalez is scheduled to be sentenced on October 2, 2013. Theft of government property is punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison; 3 years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.

This brazen scheme highlights the importance of vigilance in preventing and detecting tax refund fraud. It also underscores the serious consequences that individuals who engage in such activities can face.

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