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Nicolas Gomez-Rua, a Tax Preparer, Admits to Filing Fraudulent Tax Returns
Nicolas Gomez-Rua, 54, of Atlantic City, N.J., and Medellin, Colombia, pleaded guilty to three counts of a 45-count Indictment pending against him in Camden federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, Gomez-Rua operated Quick Tax Solution and Rapid Tax Solution in Ventnor City, N.J. between 2008 and 2010. He met with clients and obtained information and documents from them, which he used to prepare their U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns (1040 Forms).
Gomez-Rua admitted that he intentionally included fraudulent items and tax credits, such as false and fraudulent dependents, child tax credits, Earned Income Tax Credit (“EITC”) claims, fuel tax credits and education credits, in order to obtain larger refunds than those to which his clients were entitled.
Gomez-Rua maintained a file of Social Security cards and birth certificates for individuals born in Puerto Rico that was used to add fraudulent dependents on the 1040 Forms that were filed with the IRS. Clients paid Gomez-Rua on average $300 to $500 for the use of fraudulent dependents. Gomez-Rua admitted that after preparing the fraudulent returns, he filed the false returns electronically and by U.S. Mail with the IRS.
Gomez-Rua admitted that 729 U.S. individual federal income tax returns containing fraudulent items and credits were prepared by Quick Tax Solution and Rapid Tax Solution on behalf of its clients for tax years 2007 through 2009. Based on the false and fraudulent returns prepared for tax years 2007 through 2009, the United States lost approximately $170,211 in tax revenue.
Gomez-Rua also admitted to purchasing the identity of “Wigaberto Santiago,” including his name, date of birth and Social Security number, and using that identity to work at various locations in Atlantic City. He further admitted that he purchased the identity of “Elizabeth Tirado,” including her name, date of birth and Social Security number, for his wife, Clara Hernandez-Estrada.
Gomez-Rua was arrested on November 29, 2012 by Homeland Security Investigations special agents at JFK International Airport in New York when he tried to enter the United States from Colombia and was detained. He pleaded guilty to three counts of a 45-count Indictment pending against him. The exact sentence or outcome for Gomez-Rua is not specified in the source material. The exact criminal charges against Gomez-Rua are Three counts of a 45-count Indictment which includes aiding and assisting the preparation of false income tax returns, illegal use of a Social Security number, and unlawful procurement of citizenship or naturalization. The city and state where the crime took place is Atlantic City, New Jersey. The exact date of the crime is not specified. The amount of tax revenue lost is approximately $170,211.
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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