Eight individuals in Eastern Massachusetts face charges related to the theft of U.S. Treasury tax refund checks, totaling over $8.8 million in 2023 and 2024. According to charging documents, the defendants allegedly altered tax refund checks to be payable to shell companies under their control and deposited them at banks or credit unions around Metro Boston.
The accused include Gino Rosario Tyler Alexander Allegra from Brockton, Eric Banks from Quincy, Jesse El-Ghoul from Leominster, Nnamdi Opara from Woburn, Gurprit Singh and Amarpreet Singh from Framingham, Lonnie Smith-Matthews from Hyde Park, and Domingo Villari also from Framingham. The charges vary among the defendants but involve significant amounts of government funds.
Several of those charged are currently in federal custody and will appear in Federal Court in Boston. However, Allegra and A. Singh remain at large.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley commented on the case stating: "As alleged, these defendants stole millions in tax refunds owed to hardworking Americans and used Massachusetts businesses and community banks to defraud the U.S. Treasury." She emphasized that such acts are not victimless crimes and affirmed commitment to prosecuting those involved.
Thomas Demeo of IRS Criminal Investigation highlighted the issue's growing impact on Americans: "Today’s arrest demonstrates IRS-CI’s commitment to identifying, investigating, and prosecuting all instances of Treasury check theft."
Michael Carpenter from TIGTA stressed their mission to protect the nation's tax system integrity: "TIGTA's mission is to protect the integrity of our nation's tax administration system."
The charges for theft of government funds could result in up to 10 years imprisonment along with fines. Bank fraud charges carry a potential sentence of up to 30 years imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Foley made this announcement alongside officials from IRS-CI and TIGTA with assistance from Needham Police Department.
All details are allegations at this stage; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
