Thread: CO: Huge immigration raid in Weld County is still going

Huge immigration raid in Weld County is still going
written by: Paula Woodward
Date last updated: 11/14/2008 12:20:15

GREELEY - Eleven suspected illegal immigrants have been arrested and Weld County Sheriff John Cooke says they're looking for at least 1,300 more, 9Wants to Know has learned.


Cooke says the illegal immigrants are using the IRS to get tax refunds on jobs they shouldn't have had in the first place.

The investigation began three months ago after a man from Texas was audited by the IRS for under-reporting his income from Colorado.

But the man said he's never worked in Colorado.

The Texas man's accountant has spent four years dealing with an audit by the IRS, trying to get the problems dismissed.

It turns out his Social Security number was stolen and used to file for tax refunds.

The income from the theft of his Social Security number was added to the Social Security fund that was legitimately his, therefore he was accused of under-reporting his income because he didn't know about it.

Rebecca Jaramillo is worried the same thing could happen to her.

"I honestly don't know what to do," she said.

Her Social Security number was also stolen and used by an illegal immigrant.

The investigation from the Texas tip continued after Weld County Sheriff's investigators focused on Amalia's Translation and Tax Preparer business in Greeley.

Investigators examined 5,000 of Amalia Cerillo's clients and 1,369 of them were found to have stolen or phony Social Security numbers.

Illegal immigrants usually steal Hispanic American citizens' Social Security numbers so they can work. By federal law, you can't work in the U.S. without a Social Security number.

When it was time to file taxes, most of the 1,369 people got refunds by using the earned income tax credit and child care deductions.

"Because of those tax returns, these illegal aliens are getting money back that should not be given to them," said Cooke.

According to Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck, a re-examination of 25 percent of the suspects' returns showed withholdings of $1 million. The IRS paid $2.6 million back in deductions, giving the suspects $1.6 million in extra, unearned money.

"They actually got $2.6 million of U.S. taxpayers' money they aren't entitled to," said Buck. "They're here illegally. They're working illegally and they're using stolen or phony Social Security numbers to file taxes [and get refunds] they aren't owed."

Cerillo told 9Wants to Know she obtained tax identification numbers for her clients when they had a "fake Social" because no one would hire them without a Social Security number.

"What if they're here illegally?" 9Wants to Know asked Cerillo. "That's not my duty," Cerillo replied, "My duty is to help them file their taxes regardless of whether they're here illegally or not or if they are using a fake Social."

Immigration attorney Christine Mastin says she tells her clients it's very important to follow all the laws of the U.S., including being here legally, getting a driver's license and paying taxes.

The IRS says it will investigate but wouldn't talk publicly. The agency did refer 9Wants to Know to policy statements which say its job is to collect money from people who work in the U.S., whether they're here legally or illegally.

A news conference in Greeley by the Weld County Sheriff and DA is expected Friday.

http://www.9news.com/rss/article.aspx?storyid=103852

Investigators examined 5,000 of Amalia Cerillo's clients and 1,369 of them were found to have stolen or phony Social Security numbers.

thieves stealing from thieves that are stealing from the IRS that steals from the Middle Class Tax Payer... How dam efficient is that ..

boy is there someway I can get in on this ... sounds too good to be true

Sounds like an aiding and abetting charge against Cerillo is in order.

This is why our leaders should be investigated..for letting this happen. These current raids are only a bone being tossed to the patriots who really care about our nation. Bush hasn't fooled anyone.

Originally Posted by AirborneSapper7

Investigators examined 5,000 of Amalia Cerillo's clients and 1,369 of them were found to have stolen or phony Social Security numbers.

thieves stealing from thieves that are stealing from the IRS that steals from the Middle Class Tax Payer... How dam efficient is that ..

boy is there someway I can get in on this ... sounds too good to be true

Yes..the insanity in this country continues! These are the so called," hard working people only are coming here for a better life" BS!

Is this what the illegal invader advocates mean when they say their beloved invaders pay taxes?

According to Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck, a re-examination of 25 percent of the suspects' returns showed withholdings of $1 million. The IRS paid $2.6 million back in deductions, giving the suspects $1.6 million in extra, unearned money.

"They actually got $2.6 million of U.S. taxpayers' money they aren't entitled to," said Buck. "They're here illegally. They're working illegally and they're using stolen or phony Social Security numbers to file taxes [and get refunds] they aren't owed.

And how much of this goes on that authorities do not catch? This abuse of our country and US taxpayers has to stop.

Additional article on this subject:

http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/2 ... ft%20cases

Weld cracks down on 1,300 ID theft cases

Suspects may have received $2.6 million in federal tax refunds.

Chris Casey and Mike Peters,


Weld County authorities this week unleashed a large-scale sting they hope will net about 1,300 suspects who may have used false identification to receive millions of dollars in U.S. tax refunds.

The arrests for ID theft or criminal impersonation are expected to snare hundreds of suspects. Authorities said two years worth of federally approved tax refunds from suspects’ jobs — they work in agriculture, corporations and small businesses across northern Colorado — could total $2.7 million.

The sweep follows the Aug. 13 arrest of Servando Trejo, who was linked to a Texas man who told local authorities that someone working in northern Colorado had been using his Social Security number.

Trejo, a native of Mexico, told a Weld County Sheriff’s Office detective that he bought the ID in Texas after he crossed the border in 1995. He used the ID to get jobs, obtain loans, get a Colorado driver’s license and pay taxes, which in recent years he filed through Amalia’s Translation and Tax Services, 1501 9th St. in Greeley.

Weld sheriff’s deputies on Wednesday launched what they’re calling “Operation Number Games.â€

[quote]On Thursday, one local Latino businessman called the investigation into Amalia’s Tax Service “racial profilingâ€

No wonder our southern neighbor countries are always in poverty and upheaval,not only are their governments crooked but so are most of their citizens who think they are innocent bystanders !

Cerillo thinks it is just fine IA's are ripping off the American people.I hope she/he gets a hefty fine and a hefty prison sentence.

These are the crooks the Dems want to make citizens and I am afraid if so many dishonest people are granted Amnesty it will erode our country's values and push us further toward a 3rd. world country thinking.

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