Related Federal Cases
- Scandia Pharmacist Pleads Guilty to Stealing Bottles of Oxycodone · Minnesota
- Scandia Pharmacist Pleads Guilty to Stealing Oxycodone · Minnesota
- South Minneapolis Gang Members Handed Federal Charges for Gun & Drug Crimes · Minnesota
- 10 Minneapolis Gang Members Hit with Firearm & Drug Charges · Minnesota
- FDIC Appoints Five New Members to Advisory Committee on Community Banking · Mississippi
Latin Kings Gang Leader Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison for Conspiring to Steal $180,000 from IRS
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Eliseo Ortiz, a 50-year-old member of the Latin Kings gang, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for conspiring to steal $180,000 from the IRS.
According to court documents, Ortiz, who was incarcerated at Stillwater Correctional Facility, recruited and directed co-conspirators to provide names and social security numbers to be used in preparing and filing false tax returns. Ortiz also recruited help from outside the prison to execute the scheme, including co-defendants Stacey Jean Berghammer and Shannon Lee Trolen.
The scheme involved filing false income tax returns for tax years 2007, 2008, and 2009, claiming false wages, withholdings, and other tax credits. Ortiz and his co-conspirators obtained payments for their roles in the scheme through various means, including direct deposit, debit cards, and having the tax refund check sent to an associate who would cash the check and split the money between the co-conspirator, the defendants, and others.
Ortiz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to file false claims on September 18, 2015. Co-defendant Stacey Jean Berghammer was sentenced to time served yesterday, while co-defendant Shannon Lee Trolen pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to file false claims.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael L. Cheever.
Ortiz’s sentence includes 70 months in prison and three years of supervised release. The case is a reminder of the importance of protecting taxpayer dollars and holding accountable those who attempt to defraud the system.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota is committed to prosecuting those who engage in white-collar crime and organized crime. If you have any information about this case or any other crime, please contact us at (612) 664-5600.
Key Facts
- State: Minnesota
- Category: White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News