Reno, NV – Thomas Michael Bidegary, a 67-year-old former IRS employee and co-owner of Winnemucca Tax and Bookkeeping Service, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for his role in a tax return conspiracy and theft of an elderly client’s money.
Bidegary was sentenced on [date] by U.S. District Judge Robert C. Jones, who also ordered him to serve three years of supervised release. Bidegary previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit tax fraud and theft of government money, related to two separate criminal indictments.
As part of the scheme, Bidegary conspired with a co-defendant to prepare and file fraudulent individual income tax returns on behalf of clients. Beginning in at least 2009 and continuing through December 2014, he advised clients that by making small ‘investments’ into various businesses he owned, they could decrease their annual taxable income and increase their tax refunds.
As a result of the false tax returns, Bidegary caused a tax loss of approximately $259,880. In a separate criminal case filed against Bidegary, he prepared and filed an unauthorized tax return on behalf of an elderly woman in Battle Mountain, Nevada. After receiving the $12,500 tax refund, he deposited the check into a bank account which was then converted for his own personal use.
‘As tax season approaches, today’s sentence serves as a reminder that preparing or filing false tax returns is a crime,’ said U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada. ‘Our office will continue to work closely with the IRS to pursue justice when individuals attempt to evade tax obligations.’
‘Mr. Bidegary used his knowledge as a former IRS employee to steal from his clients and the government,’ said SAC Sullivan for the IRS-Criminal Investigation. ‘Mr. Bidegary does not represent the integrity of IRS employees and IRS-Criminal Investigation will continue to prosecute cases that bring harm to both the community and the government.’
The case was investigated by the IRS-Criminal Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sue Fahami.
Related Federal Cases
- Ofelia Ronquillo, Tax Return Fraud, Nevada 2024 · Pennsylvania
- Judith Woodward, Tax Obstruction, Nevada 2024 · Nevada
- Tomeki L. Tyson, Tax Return Fraud, WI 2017 · Illinois
- Howard Hsu, Tax Fraud Conspiracy, Nevada 2024 · Washington
- Walter Fabian Guzman, Tax Return Fraud Conspiracy, NV 2024 · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Nevada
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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