BOSTON, MA – A Lawrence man working as a confidential informant for the IRS Criminal Investigation division turned criminal himself, admitting to fabricating evidence in a federal fraud case for a quick buck. Erick Santiago-Then, 36, pleaded guilty yesterday to ten counts of falsifying records in a federal investigation, a betrayal of trust that could land him behind bars for decades.
The scheme unfolded in February 2014, when Santiago-Then was tasked with uncovering evidence against a crew running a stolen identity refund fraud operation. He was authorized and funded by the IRS-CI to conduct a controlled purchase of fraudulently-obtained tax refund checks. Instead of following orders, Santiago-Then orchestrated a sham meeting with an accomplice, using the funds not for checks, but to obtain a list of personal identifying information – the very data the investigation aimed to protect.
But the deception didn’t stop there. Santiago-Then then meticulously crafted a series of recorded phone calls, fabricating a story where his accomplice pretended to be someone else and claimed there was a mix-up with the tax refund checks. These calls were designed to mislead investigators, covering his tracks and diverting attention from his betrayal. He split the IRS-CI funds with his co-conspirator, effectively stealing from the agency he was supposed to be assisting.
Federal prosecutors detailed the extent of Santiago-Then’s fraud, highlighting the damage his actions could have inflicted on the integrity of the investigation. The charge of falsifying records in a federal investigation carries a hefty penalty: up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a potential $250,000 fine. The actual sentence will be determined by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs on January 3, 2018, taking into account sentencing guidelines and other relevant factors.
The announcement of Santiago-Then’s guilty plea was made jointly by Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb, and a coalition of federal investigators including Joel P. Garland of IRS-CI, Scott Antolik of the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General, Matthew Etre of Homeland Security Investigations, Stephen A. Marks of the U.S. Secret Service, and Harold H. Shaw of the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan M. DiSantis, from Weinreb’s Public Corruption Unit, is leading the prosecution.
This case serves as a stark reminder that even those entrusted with upholding the law are not immune to corruption. The betrayal by Santiago-Then not only compromised a federal investigation but also undermined public trust in law enforcement and the IRS. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as sentencing approaches and will report any further developments.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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