Fugitive Sentenced For Fleeing To Avoid Serving Tax Fraud Prison Sentence

DENVER – United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn announced that Remijio Rafael Hau Chi, age 45, formerly of Littleton, Colorado was sentenced yesterday by Senior U.S. District Court Judge John L. Kane to serve 18 months in federal prison for fleeing the U.S. to avoid a jail sentence imposed in a previous tax fraud case.  The 18 months’ imprisonment is consecutive to the tax fraud sentence.

According to the indictment and plea agreement in the previous tax fraud case, Hau Chi, along with his spouse, Wilma Hau, were sentenced by Judge Krieger on February 20, 2014 for conspiracy to make false and fraudulent claims to the government.  As part of this conspiracy, Hau Chi participated in a scheme in which stolen taxpayer identifying information was used to submit fraudulent tax returns to the IRS claiming tax refunds. The investigation concluded that 138 false federal income tax returns were submitted to the IRS resulting in the issuance of $430,753 in fraudulent tax refunds.  Chi used a significant portion of the refund proceeds for his personal benefit, including the purchase of a residence in Littleton and paying off the mortgage for said residence. 

After Hau Chi was sentenced to 22 months in federal prison in the tax fraud case, the court allowed him to remain free on bond and report to the Federal Bureau of Prisons to serve his imprisonment once his wife completed her prison sentence. The Judgment entered against Hau Chi at the time of his sentence ordered that Hau Chi was required to notify the United States Attorney of any change of residence or mailing address within 30 days of his moving until he completed paying restitution as ordered by the court.  Despite that condition, Hau Chi left his Littleton residence in March 2014 without notifying the United States Attorney, and absconded from supervision by the United States Probation Office, becoming a fugitive believed to be in Mexico.  He was arrested in July 2018, when he traveled from Mexico to Canada, and was subsequently extradited back to the United States for service of his previously imposed tax fraud sentence and to face the new contempt charge that led to yesterday’s sentencing. 

“Contempt is a serious crime, as you can see from this sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn.  “Fleeing the country doesn’t work, it just prolongs the inevitable.  The message is simple – if you’re wanted, turn yourself in.”

“Remigio Hau Chi thought he figured out a clever scheme to thwart the IRS, undermine the integrity of the U.S. legal system and steal from American taxpayers,” said IRS – Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Andy Tsui.  “This sentence highlights the seriousness of the defendant’s conduct and IRS – Criminal Investigation’s continued vigilance investigating and bringing to justice individuals who attempt to line their pockets with other people’s money.”

This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patricia Davies.