Allentown Man Pleads Guilty To Tax Refund Scheme

PHILADELPHIA - Andy O. Rodriguez, 26, of Allentown, PA, pleaded guilty today to defrauding the IRS of $2,904,783.64 in fraudulent tax refunds.  Rodriguez pleaded guilty to all 23 counts of making false claims against the United States.  U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence F. Stengel scheduled a sentencing hearing for November 24, 2014.  Rodriguez admitted today that between August 17, 2010 and January 31, 2012, he knowingly filed false tax returns with the IRS claiming refunds in the names of other individuals.  The returns included W-2 forms falsely claiming that taxes were withheld by various employers.  The IRS identified more than 600 false returns that were associated with this scheme.  These returns, which were filed electronically, claimed refunds totaling $2,904,783.64.

Rodriguez faces a maximum possible sentence of 115 years in prison, restitution to the IRS of up to $2,904,783.64, up to three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $5.75 million, and a $2,300 special assessment.  

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States David J. Ignall.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525