United States Attorney Paul E. Coggins announced today that Euless, Texas resident, Ross Benami-Vera, was convicted by a federal jury in Fort Worth, Texas on all counts of a twelve-count indictment that charged him with filing false and fraudulent Federal Income Tax Returns, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 287.

Benami-Vera, age 38, was convicted of filing these 1040 Federal Tax Returns at ten different Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Service Centers throughout the country during 1996 and 1997. Benami-Vera’s false and fraudulent claims against the United States were in excess of $93,847.

Sentencing is set for April 13, 2001 before the Honorable United States District Judge John H. McBryde. Ross Benami-Vera could receive up to 60 years imprisonment and a $120,000 fine.

United States Attorney Coggins praised the investigative work of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Dallas Field Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Michael Worley.

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