PHILADELPHIA - Madeline Rosario, 25, and Maribel Nunez, 58, both of Philadelphia, PA, were charged by indictment, unsealed today, in an aggravated identity theft scheme to defraud the IRS, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. Rosario is charged with conspiracy, theft of government property and aggravated identity theft. Her mother is charged with conspiracy and theft of government property.
According to the indictment, between November of 2010 and March of 2014, the defendants controlled five business accounts at Wachovia/Wells Fargo bank for the purpose of depositing fraudulently obtained United States Treasury refund checks and 3rd party refund checks. It is alleged that they conspired with others, to commit theft of government funds and knowingly converted to their own approximately 84 fraudulent tax refund U.S. Treasury checks totaling approximately $439,843.69. Rosario and Nunez allegedly opened and controlled the five business accounts at Wachovia/Wells Fargo Bank. The accounts were then used for depositing the fraudulently obtained tax refund checks.
If convicted, Rosario faces a two year mandatory minimum sentence with a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years and a $300 special assessment; Nunez faces a maximum statutory sentence of 15 years and a $200 special assessment. Both defendants could also face fines and a period of supervised release.
The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigations and the FBI. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maureen McCartney.
An Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
