DENVER - U.S. Attorney John Walsh and IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Stephen Boyd announce the prosecution of several recent criminal tax offenders in the District of Colorado. With tax filing season in full swing, federal officials remind citizens that it is important to file complete and accurate tax returns and choose wisely when selecting a return preparer. Those who commit tax fraud and related crimes can and will be criminally prosecuted. Recent tax cases prosecuted in the District of Colorado include the following:
Erica Godoy, age 39, of Tucson, AZ pled guilty on Feb. 18, 2016 before U.S. District Court Judge Christine M. Arguello to conspiracy to defraud the IRS. In the State of Colorado and elsewhere in January of 2010 through April of 2014, Erica Godoy and her husband conspired to defraud the IRS in the assessment and collection of personal income taxes for calendar years 2010 through 2013. During this time period, her husband owned and operated a semi-truck which he used to transport illicit loads of narcotics from the Tucson area to the Philadelphia area. Several months into their marital relationship, Godoy learned he was making income from such activity. They conspired together to ensure that the IRS was not aware of the income being generated from the illicit activity. Specifically, Godoy, failed to file any personal income tax returns for calendar years, 2010 through 2013 while her husband filed false income tax returns as "married filing jointly", listing a former ex-wife. Those joint returns, failed include any of the substantial income that he was generating from his illicit drug distribution. Godoy’s failure to file income returns and pay income taxes over the four years resulted in a tax loss to the IRS of $244,674. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tim Neff.
Hieu Mattison, age 52, of Lakewood, CO, had his initial appearance on Feb. 18, 2016 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kristen L. Mix. Mattison was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury in Denver on Jan. 28, 2016 for preparing and filing false income tax returns. From February 2010 through May 2012, Hieu Mattison, falsely prepared and filed with the IRS twenty-four U.S. Individual Form 1040 Income Tax Returns for various taxpayers in calendar years 2009, 2010 and 2011. The returns were materially false and fraudulent. Specifically, the returns included false income and tax credits in an effort to created inflated fraudulent refunds. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Martha A. Paluch.
Robert and Lorrie Marie Gomez, age 60 and 57, of Henderson, Colorado, pled guilty on Feb. 20, 2016 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kristen L. Mix to two counts of failing to file tax returns. Robert and Lorrie are husband and wife and have co-owned and operated Gomez Burritos since 2004. Gomez Burritos is a Mexican food restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch six days a week with four storefront locations in the Denver, Colorado metro area since 2004. Between April 2008 and January 2014, Robert and Lorrie failed to pay the IRS Gomez Burritos' payroll taxes, which totaled $484,396. This amount includes both the employees' share that was withheld by Gomez Burritos from its employees' paychecks and the employer's share of payroll taxes. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Pegeen D. Rhyne.
Kathy Jo Eads, age 58, of Aurora, Colorado, pled guilty on Feb. 24, 2016 to preparing and filing a false income tax return. Beginning in January 2010 and continuing through April 2013, conducting business as Money Matters Financial Services, Eads prepared 33 false federal income tax returns for 15 clients which included either a false Schedule C or a false Schedule C-EZ. All 33 false returns requested refunds, and the IRS paid 28 of them in full and the other five refunds were applied against previous taxes that the taxpayers owed. The 33 false returns resulted in a tax loss of $96,376. Eads charged her clients a return-preparation fee which varied. On one occasion a client went to Eads’ office to get her 2010 refund, and Eads suggested that the client cash the check at a nearby check-cashing business, but the client declined, Eads asked, "Where's my tip?" The client thought the question was a joke and walked out of the office, but Eads became upset and followed her into a parking lot, where she told her, "The only reason I put the business on your tax return was because I wanted a thousand dollars out of it." This case is being prosecuted by an Assistant United States Attorney in the Economic Crimes Section.
“Individuals who commit tax fraud are not only defrauding the government, but they are also stealing from their friends, family and neighbors. We owe it to every American taxpayer to identify and prosecute those who evade their taxes and defraud the IRS," said Stephen Boyd, Special Agent in Charge for IRS Criminal Investigation, Denver Field Office.
For tips on choosing a Tax Professional and filing your return go to www.irs.gov.
The charges contained in the Indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
