Grimy Times has learned that a former Arizona state representative has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for wire fraud and tax evasion related to the misuse of over $140,000 in charity funds.
Former Arizona State Representative Richard David Miranda, 55, of Tolleson, Ariz., was sentenced to 27 months in prison for defrauding a charity of more than $140,000 and evading income tax related to those unlawfully obtained funds, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge James L. Turgal of the FBI’s Phoenix Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Dawn Mertz of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Phoenix office.
Miranda served as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives for the 13th District from 2011 until his resignation, effective February 20, 2012. He previously served as a member of the Arizona State Senate from 2002 until 2011, and the Arizona House of Representatives from 1999 until 2002. Since July 2002, Miranda also served as executive director of Centro Adelante Campesino Inc., a non-profit charitable organization that provided food, clothing and educational assistance to persons in need, including migrant farm workers, in and around Maricopa County, Ariz.
On March 14, 2012, Miranda pleaded guilty to a two-count information charging him with defrauding Centro of more than $140,000 and evading income tax related to those unlawfully obtained funds. As part of his plea agreement, Miranda agreed to resign from office. He was also ordered to pay a total of $230,342 in restitution ($212,220 for funds he unlawfully obtained from Centro, along with an additional $18,122 he unlawfully obtained from the Arizona Latino Caucus Foundation).
Miranda, who admitted to initiating a scheme to wind down Centro and use the proceeds of the sale for personal expenses, removed the charity’s longstanding volunteer accountant as an authorized signer on the charity’s bank and credit union accounts, and assumed sole control of the charity’s accounts and financial records. He also told the volunteer accountant that the proceeds of the sale would be used to fund scholarships. In March 2007, the building was sold for $250,000, and on March 7, 2007, a significant portion of the profits of that sale, $144,576, were wired across state lines into Centro’s credit union account.
By December 31, 2007, Miranda had withdrawn the remaining proceeds (approximately $46,836) using checks, withdrawals and electronic funds transfers, and used the funds to pay off additional personal debts and make numerous purchases for personal travel, services, clothing, food and household items. Miranda also failed to report the proceeds of the sale as income on his IRS Form 1040 for calendar year 2007.
This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Monique T. Abrishami and Brian A. Lichter of the Public Integrity Section in the Criminal Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Frederick A. Battista of the District of Arizona. The case is being investigated by agents from the FBI Phoenix Field Office and IRS-CI Phoenix Office.
Related Federal Cases
- Antonio Teixeira, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Tax Evasion, New Jersey 2024 · Vermont
- Jorge J. Jimenez, Conspiracy to Commit Honest Services Wire Fraud, Arizona 2025 · Colorado
- Alena Aleykina, Tax Fraud, California 2009 · Pennsylvania
- Karen L. Finley, Conspiracy to Commit Federal Programs Bribery and Honest Services Wire and Mail Fraud, Ohio 2015 · Maryland
- Marco Antonio De La Garza Jr, Passport Fraud, Arizona 2018 · Colorado
Key Facts
- State: Arizona
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Public CorruptionPublic CorruptionPublic CorruptionPublic Corruption