Accounting Manager Pleads Guilty To Stealing Over $725,000 From Two Employers And Committing Over $193,000 In Tax Fraud And Tax Evasion

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A Las Vegas woman pleaded guilty today to stealing more than $725,000 from two different employers, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Steven W. Myhre for the District of Nevada.

Nicole Marie Graziano, 42, pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud, two counts of filing a false tax return, and one count of attempt to evade or defeat tax. She was charged by a criminal information on June 13, 2017. United States District Judge Kent J. Dawson scheduled sentencing for Nov. 21, 2017.

According to the plea agreement, between May 2009 through November 2015, Graziano worked as an Accounting Manager and Controller for two companies in Clark County. She used several schemes, including manipulation of her employers’ payroll tax records, to conceal the thefts. She would transfer the stolen funds by wire to her own personal bank accounts. Graziano used the money she stole to pay for luxury items for herself and family members, including cars and real estate.

Furthermore, Graziano admitted to filing false individual Federal income tax returns for tax years 2013 and 2014, and grossly underreporting her income and tax liability. She also failed to file an individual Federal income tax return for tax year 2015.

The maximum statutory penalty is three years in prison and a $100,000 fine for filing a false tax return; the maximum penalty is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for attempt to evade or defeat income tax; and the maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for wire fraud.

The case is being investigated by the IRS-Criminal Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Cowhig.

###