FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 5, 2004

John Yembrick             
P. O. Box 61129 Houston, TX 77208
Phone: 713/567-9388 Fax: 713/718-3389
E-Mail: usatty.txs@usdoj.gov

IRS REVENUE AGENT TO SERVE PRISON TERM FOR BRIBERY
Contact AUSA: Melissa Annis
Phone: 713/567-9736

(HOUSTON) United States Attorney Michael Shelby announced today that Noe A. Rodriguez, a 19-year veteran IRS revenue agent, will serve a prison term for bribery. Noe A. Rodriguez, 44, convicted of soliciting a $500,000 bribe in his official capacity as a revenue agent, was sentenced to serve 37 months in federal prison, without parole, by United States District Judge Sim Lake. This prison term represents the top of the applicable guideline range. Rodriguez pled guilty to the federal offense of Receiving a Bribe by a Public Official in December 2003.

"The message today is simple: We will use the full measure of federal law to hold accountable any public official who abuses his position for personal gain," said United States Attorney Shelby.

Rodriguez's conviction is based upon evidence which proved that, while acting in his official capacity as an Internal Revenue Agent for the Internal Revenue Service in Houston, Rodriguez solicited a $500,000 bribe. Specifically, evidence proved that in mid July 2003, during a civil IRS audit of another taxpayer, Rodriguez interviewed Hugo Pimienta and requested $500,000 to ensure that the IRS would not investigate Pimienta in either a civil audit or a criminal investigation. Rodriguez scheduled a second meeting with Pimenta for July 28.

Pimienta notified federal agents of the solicitation, and agreed to follow through with a July 28, 2003 meeting with Rodriguez. On July 28, Pimenta and Rodriguez met again. Federal agents monitored the meeting. During the meeting Rodriguez and Pimienta again discussed the proposed bribe. Rodriguez agreed to accept $250,000 with an additional $100,000 to be paid in six to eight months. Another meeting was scheduled for August.

On August 8, 2003, Pimienta delivered $250,000 in cash to Rodriguez at an office off the Gulf Freeway. Pimienta had been provided the cash by Treasury agents who were monitoring this meeting. Pimienta opened the briefcase showing the money to Rodriguez. Rodriguez confirmed the amount and took possession of the money. Moments later, Rodriguez was arrested by federal agents for accepting a bribe. Rodriguez was employed by IRS for 19 years prior to his resignation after his arrest.

In addition to the prison term, Rodriguez was ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $5000.

This prosecution was the result of an investigation conducted by the Office of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and Assistant United States Attorney Melissa Annis.

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