Green Bay Woman Indicted for Income Tax Scheme

Matthew D. Krueger, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that Alma Ramirez (age 40) of Green Bay appeared in federal court in Green Bay to answer charges brought against her in a 29-count indictment. Specifically, Ms. Ramirez is charged with 5 counts of wire fraud, 5 counts of aggravated identity theft, and 19 counts of assisting in the filing of false federal income tax returns.

According to the indictment, during the period from March 2013 through May 2016, Ms. 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 fraudulently seeking more than $300,000 in federal income tax refunds. These tax returns included false information concerning the taxpayer’s employment, wages, and the amount of federal income taxes that had been withheld from those wages, dependents, and the taxpayer’s eligibility for various tax credits.

The indictment also alleges that Ramirez committed identity theft by using without lawful authority the names and social security numbers of individuals to commit her fraud scheme.  If convicted of the wire fraud offenses Ms. Ramirez faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. If convicted of the aggravated identity theft charges, Ms. Ramirez will face a mandatory 2 year-term of imprisonment consecutive to any other sentence she receives.

This matter was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew L. Jacobs.

The public is cautioned that an indictment is merely the formal method of issuing charges against an individual. A person is presumed innocent until such time, if ever, as the government establishes his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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