Cecilia Hernandez, IRS Check Scheme, California 2023

Chula Vista Woman Admits Stealing More Than $164,000 From IRS

San Diego – In a brazen move, Cecilia Hernandez, 46, of Chula Vista, California, pleaded guilty to stealing more than $164,000 from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Hernandez’s scheme involved sending the IRS over $525,000 in worthless checks written on closed accounts, ostensibly intended to pay off her tax debt from previous years. The checks written in 2011 and 2013 were far greater than the tax debt, triggering a series of fraudulent refunds. The total amount of bad checks written to the IRS resulted in Hernandez obtaining over $164,000 in the form of refunds.

As part of her plea agreement, Hernandez has agreed to restitution of the funds stolen from the IRS. She will appear for sentencing on June 14, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Battaglia. The case number is 16CR247-AJB.

According to the plea agreement, Hernandez spent her illicit proceeds on a $33,000 Chrysler 300 and an extravagant Quinceañera for her daughter costing more than $40,000. The IRS is still awaiting restitution from the defendant.

Assisting in the prosecution of Hernandez is Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle L. Wasserman, who can be reached at (619) 546-8431. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) played a crucial role in uncovering Hernandez’s scheme.

The indictment charges Hernandez with one count of theft of United States’ money, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641. The maximum penalty for this offense is up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Hernandez’s case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of tax evasion and the importance of reporting any suspicious activity to the authorities.

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