Juan C. Hurtado, a 45-year-old Joliet resident, has pleaded guilty to making a false statement in a tax return, a crime punishable by up to three years in federal prison.
Hurtado, the owner of five Chicago-area Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant franchises, admitted to filing eleven materially false corporate tax returns with the IRS and the State of Illinois from 2016 to 2018. These returns underreported the gross receipts and sales of his restaurants by a combined total of approximately $2.5 million.
According to a plea agreement, Hurtado created false sales reports and gave them to his accountants, who used them as a basis for underreporting the receipts and sales. The guilty plea was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Tamera D. Cantu, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick D. Young. U.S. District John F. Kness set sentencing for June 7, 2021, at 2:30 p.m.
Hurtado owned Pepe’s franchises in Chicago, Tinley Park, Hickory Hills, Matteson, and Chicago Heights. His conviction is a significant blow to the restaurant industry, highlighting the consequences of tax evasion.
As the owner of multiple franchises, Hurtado was required to file accurate tax returns and pay his fair share of taxes. Instead, he chose to underreport his income, depriving the government of millions of dollars in revenue.
The case against Hurtado serves as a reminder of the importance of tax compliance and the severe consequences of tax evasion. The government will continue to investigate and prosecute individuals who engage in tax fraud and other financial crimes.
Defendant: Juan C. Hurtado
Criminal Charges: Making a false statement in a tax return
City and State: Chicago, Illinois
Date: June 7, 2021
Sentence: Up to three years in federal prison
Dollar Amount: $2.5 million
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Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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