On the cusp of the annual tax filing deadline, the grim reality of financial chicanery in Corpus Christi, Texas, hit home as Cristina Gonzalez was arrested on charges of tax evasion and aiding in the preparation of false tax returns.
The Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez, alongside D. Richard Goss from IRS-Criminal Investigation, announced the arrest of Gonzalez, a local woman who is now staring down 50 counts against her. The federal grand jury indicted Gonzalez on April 12, 2017, leading to her arrest this morning.
Gonzalez faces 46 counts of willfully aiding and assisting in the preparation of false U.S. Income Tax Returns for others and four additional counts of filing a false income tax return herself. The indictment alleges that Gonzalez knowingly underreported her own income on these returns, resulting in substantial tax debt to the United States. She is also accused of helping others file fraudulent returns with unwarranted tax credits.
Each conviction of tax evasion can carry a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison, while aiding in the preparation of false tax returns carries a three-year-maximum term. Gonzalez could also be facing fines up to $250,000 for each conviction.
The IRS-CI led the investigation into Gonzalez’s alleged activities, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. Thorpe Jr. tasked with prosecution. As this unfolds in court, it underscores the government’s relentless pursuit of financial fraudsters who undermine the integrity of our tax system.
Remember, an indictment is a formal accusation and not evidence of guilt. In accordance with due process, Gonzalez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty through legal proceedings.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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