Date: 11-19-2015

Case Style: United States of America v. April Escobedo

Case Number: CR-14-01644-RCC-1

Judge: Raner C. Colins

Court: United States District Court for the District of Arizona (Pima County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Jane L. Westby

Defendant's Attorney: Jeff Bartolino

Description: Tucson, AZ - Former Tucson Resident Sentenced to 27 Months’ Imprisonment for Filing False Tax Returns

Former Tucson resident April Escobedo, 43, of Las Vegas, Nev., was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Raner C. Collins to 27 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay $255,189 in restitution to the United States Treasury. Escobedo previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud.

Between January, 2010, and June, 2013, Escobedo filed approximately 265 false federal income tax returns claiming false refunds in the amount of approximately $472,351. As a result, the United States Treasury issued false income tax refunds in the total amount of approximately $255,189.

Between January 2010 and June 2013, Escobedo filed approximately 265 false federal income tax returns claiming refunds in the amount of approximately $472,351. As a result, the United States Treasury issued false income tax refunds in the total amount of approximately $255,189. In order to obtain the false tax refunds, Escobedo used the names and social security numbers of other individuals along with false wages and withholding on the false income tax returns she filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Escobedo obtained the names and social security numbers by various means, including 1) offering to pay some people a portion of the false income tax refund obtained with their personal information; 2) using the names and social security numbers from employment applications of individuals who applied to work for Escobedo’s boyfriend; and 3) obtaining names and social security numbers of others from her daughters. Escobedo deposited portions of the fraudulent proceeds in her bank account and she directed her daughters to open bank accounts to distribute other false tax refunds.

Escobedo deposited portions of the fraudulent proceeds in her bank account and she directed her daughters to open bank accounts to distribute other false tax refunds.

The daughters, Cassandra Grijalva and Rachel Grijalva, both of Tucson, previously plead guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States. They were sentenced to five and three years’ probation respectively.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation.

Outcome: Guilty and sentenced to 27 months in prison.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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