MORE CRA Tax Collector malfeasance - $120,000 fine this time!! : CCRA SOTW
Alan Baggett
SOTW
Another CRA Tax collector fined $120,000
A former Canada Revenue Agency employee was given a $120,000 fine and
a two-year conditional sentence after she plead guilty to charges of
fraud, breach of trust and tax evasion when she appeared for
sentencing in provincial court this morning.
Michelle Mariano, 27, of Winnipeg, said gambling problems prompted her
to fiddle with individuals' tax returns and pile up more than $130,000
in false refunds in her own bank account.
Court was told that an investigation by the Canada Revenue Agency
between 2002 and 2005 found that Mariano, a former employee of the
Winnipeg Taxation Centre, had altered information on several
individuals' personal income tax returns which entitled them to an
adjusted refund credit. Mariano then altered the individuals'
information and had the money deposited into her own bank account. To
cover up her activities, Mariano altered the mailing addresses of the
individuals so they wouldn't receive the adjustment refund statement
and later re-instated the correct addresses.
Mariano selected individuals at random from across the prairies and
none of them were actually out of pocket.
Court was told that Mariano also falsely adjusted her own return to
generate a higher refund by inflating tax credits she was owed and
understating her income.
In total, Mariano admitted to diverting more than $130,000 into her
own account.
Court was told that Mariano filed for bankruptcy in 2005 but, in a
separate action, the Canada Revenue Agency assessed the $130,000 as
income and she has to pay taxes on that amount.
Provincial court Judge Tim Preston said Mariano must make a minimum
monthly payment of $300 towards the fine and the total amount must be
paid off in 10 years. As part of the terms of the conditional
sentence, Mariano is confined to her parent's home between 5 p.m. and
7 a.m., but she is allowed to leave for work between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
AND
Tax Centre Worker Fined For Falsifying Returns
OCT 18 2007 03:00 PM
A 27-year old former employee of the Winnipeg Tax Centre has been
fined 120-thousand dollars for falsifying income tax returns.
A Canada Revenue Agency investigation found between 2002 and 2005,
Michelle Mariano altered information on several individuals' personal
returns in order to generate more than 130-thousand dollars in false
refunds.
Mariano was found guilty on charges of criminal fraud, breach of
trust, and tax evasion.
CJOB News
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