Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine M. Ro (619)546-7937
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY - Sept. 11, 2017
Former bookkeeper Claude Theodore Riley pleaded guilty today to wire fraud and making a false tax return in a five-year scheme stealing from his employer, a local farm. Riley stole approximately $272,984.00 from his employer, filed fraudulent tax returns, and failed to file required employment tax returns resulting in a $1.5-million-dollar tax lien against the farm.
Riley served as the farm’s bookkeeper from 2010 to 2015, overseeing the farm’s entire annual budget. As the bookkeeper, Riley had access to the farm’s bank accounts, paychecks, and bookkeeping records. Riley forged certain IRS documents to hide his embezzlement from the employer. For his scheme, Riley made 148 transactions out of the employer’s bank account, fictitiously entered various vendors to be paid into the bookkeeping records, and generated checks made payable to himself.
“Defendant egregiously abused a sensitive position of trust when he stole more than $272,000 from an Imperial Valley farm and filed fraudulent tax returns," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Alana W. Robinson. “I commend our federal and local law enforcement partners’ diligent efforts to obtain justice for this local farm, which is one of many that serve as the economic backbone of Imperial Valley."
“Spanning more than five years, Mr. Riley stole funds by issuing unauthorized checks from his employer’s bank account and depositing them to his personal bank account," stated R. Damon Rowe, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation. “Our office will vigorously investigate individuals who line their pockets with fraudulently obtained funds and then file fraudulent tax returns."
“The FBI is committed to uncovering fraud schemes that affect our community," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric S. Birnbaum. “The financial stability of Imperial Valley’s agricultural businesses are essential to the local economy. Crimes that undercut the hard work of our Valley’s farming industry will not be tolerated."
“This case is a great example of how local and federal law enforcement agencies can work together to protect and serve the community," said Brawley Police Department Interim Chief of Police Kelly L. Brown. “The Brawley Police Department thanks the Federal Bureau of Investigations for their assistance."
The farming industry is an important source of Imperial Valley’s economy and producer of agriculture for the nation. Imperial Valley is one of California’s top producers of agriculture, which generates income for local families in the Southern District of California.
DEFENDANT Criminal Case No. 17CR2721-BAS
Claude Theodore Riley Age: 56 Brawley, California
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Wire Fraud - Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1343
Maximum penalty: 20 years’ imprisonment and $250,000 fine
Filing a False Tax Return - Title 26, U.S.C., Section 7206(1)
Maximum penalty: 3 years’ imprisonment and $250,000 fine
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Imperial County Resident Agency
Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation
Brawley Police Department
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
