Kissimmee Businessman Sentenced To Four Years In Federal Prison For Multi-Million Dollar Theft Scheme

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell has sentenced Edwin Rivera to four years in federal prison for theft of government property. The court also ordered Rivera to forfeit $1,987,457 which is traceable to proceeds of the offense. Rivera pleaded guilty on January 16, 2025.

According to court documents, between October 2023 and July 2024, Rivera and his co-conspirators operated a scheme to steal government funds. As part of the scheme, Rivera stole the identity of large corporations and filed fraudulent tax returns with the IRS on behalf of those companies, causing the IRS to generate tax refunds and mail them to Rivera. Rivera then deposited the checks into bank accounts he and his co-conspirators controlled. As part of the scheme, Rivera and his co-conspirators attempted to steal nearly $10 million in government funds, and successfully obtained at least four fraudulent tax refunds for a total of $2,741,581.74.

“The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) aggressively investigates individuals who attempt to exploit U.S Treasury refund checks meant for hard working taxpayers for their own private gain," said TIGTA Special Agent in Charge Joel Weaver. “TIGTA's mission is to protect the integrity of our nation's tax administration system.  We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who violate federal laws are prosecuted to the fullest extent possible.”

“If you think committing millions of dollars’ worth of fraud and stealing from the government would go unnoticed, you couldn't be more wrong,” said Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge, Detroit Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation. “Our special agents are the world's top financial crimes investigators, and they will find you, just like they found Edwin Rivera.”

This case was investigated by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and Homeland Security Investigations.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Noah P. Dorman.