California Woman Charged with Tax Fraud
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Marcela Heredia, 43, of Fresno, California, has been charged with seven counts of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and making a false tax return.
According to the indictment, Heredia worked as a tax examiner for the IRS in Fresno. Between January 9, 2009, and February 4, 2014, Heredia also worked overnight shifts at the Transitional Living Center (TLC) in Fresno. The TLC was a residential home for young adults, many of whom were former foster children who had reached the age of majority.
TLC offered life skills and career training for its residents. While working there, Heredia offered to help the residents prepare their tax returns, and residents turned over their personal information to her. Instead of completing the returns as agreed, Heredia would tell the individuals that they did not make enough money to file a tax return. She then filed tax returns on their behalf without their knowledge and directed the IRS to electronically transfer the refund to her personal account. Heredia did not notify the taxpayer of the refund and did not distribute any of the refund to them.
In the tax returns she submitted, she claimed more than $20,000 in tax refunds. In addition to this scheme, Heredia also filed a false tax return for herself for the 2011 tax year. She claimed a dependent for that year that she said was her disabled niece, when in fact the person she listed was not her dependent, was not her niece, and was not disabled.
The case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Department of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan A.S. Richards is prosecuting this case.
Mandatory Facts:
Defendant: Marcela Heredia, 43, of Fresno, California.
Exact Criminal Charges: seven counts of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and making a false tax return.
City and State: Fresno, California.
Exact Date: April 6, 2017.
Sentence or Outcome: Current status.
Dollar Amounts: more than $20,000 in tax refunds.
Related Federal Cases
- Amy Evangelista, Tax Return Fraud, California 2023 · California
- Amy Evangelista, Tax Fraud, California 2023 · Louisiana
- Louis Joseph Vadino, Tax Evasion and Passport Fraud, California 2023 · Alaska
- Christopher Guilford, Tax Refund Scheme, California 2025 · Virginia
- Amy Evangelista, Tax Evasion, California 2026 · Washington
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- 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