GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN - Grand Rapids resident Andres Orrego-Hernandez, age 31, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Judge Paul L. Maloney for conspiracy to defraud the government and aiding in the filing of a false tax return, U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Miles, Jr. announced today. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Maloney ordered Orrego-Hernandez to pay $371,648.00 in restitution to the IRS, and to serve two years of court supervision following his release from prison.
Orrego-Hernandez had pled guilty before Magistrate Judge Phillip J. Green in November, 2015. According to the plea agreement filed with the court, Orrego-Hernandez admitted his role in the conspiracy and in aiding and assisting in the preparation of false and fraudulent federal income tax returns. The returns filed inflated income and/or the number of dependents to qualify for the earned income credit and/or inflated or claimed entirely false deductions or credits to qualify for larger refunds. Orrego-Hernandez directed the portion of the client refunds attributable to his criminal activity to bank accounts he controlled. Orrego-Hernandez’s actions defrauded the United States of $371,648.00.
In November 2015, U.S. District Judge Paul L. Maloney sentenced co-defendant Humberto Manrique-Mendoza to 18 months imprisonment, followed by 24 months of supervised release, 200 hours of community service in lieu of a fine. He also ordered Manrique-Mendoza to pay restitution in the amount of $371,648 to the IRS, joint and severally with Orrego-Hernandez.
IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Jarod J. Koopman stated, "Most professional tax preparers provide a great service to their clients. However, those like Orrego-Hernandez and Manrique-Mendoza should remind us all of the importance of selecting a reputable tax return preparer."
This case was investigated by Special Agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney B. Rene Shekmer prosecuted the case.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
