Former Green Bay resident sentenced to four years in prison for filing false tax returns

Matthew D. Krueger, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that Alma Ramirez (age 40) was sentenced today in federal court in Green Bay to four years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $301,370 in restitution. 

Ms. Ramirez, who previously lived in Green Bay and now lives in Alabama, pleaded guilty to wire fraud, assisting in the filing of false tax returns, and aggravated identity theft. As detailed in Ms. Ramirez’s plea agreement, during the period from March 2013 through May 2016, Ramirez, and others working with her and at her direction, prepared and filed more than 60 false federal income tax returns in the names of various individuals, thereby fraudulently seeking more than $300,000 in federal income tax refunds. These tax returns included false information concerning the taxpayer’s employment, wages, the amount of federal taxes that had been withheld from those wages, dependents, and the taxpayer’s eligibility for various tax credits. Ramirez also committed identity theft by illegally using the names and social security numbers of unwitting individuals to commit her fraud offense.

In sentencing Ramirez, Judge William C. Griesbach, Chief U.S. District Judge, emphasized the seriousness of Ramirez’s crimes, the fact that Ramirez had recruited others, and the need to deter others who might be tempted to commit similar crimes.

This matter was investigated by the criminal investigation division of the Internal Revenue Service. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew L. Jacobs.

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