Thread: Illegal man busted in half-million dollar tax scheme

Gainesville man busted in half-million dollar tax scheme
Posted: Sunday, April 17th 2011 at 2:48pm

By Kent Covington

GAINESVILLE - Agents with the Gang Task Force and the Multi Agency Narcotics Squad arrested one individual Friday, during the course of a federal investigation involving Guillermo Merino, 34, of Gainesville. Agents were assisting the FBI and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Lt. Scott Ware of the drug squad said Merino was stopped near the 100 Block of Highland Terrace and found to be in possession of $53,000 and that a search of his home at #57 Georgia Avenue uncovered an additional $412,000.

The money was believed to be proceeds from an illegal operation in which Merino was utilizing illegal immigrants’ identification information, filing their tax returns, then cashing their tax return checks and keeping the money for himself.

At the time of Merino’s arrest, he was in possession of a Georgia driver’s license that listed a false name and date of birth, according to Lt. Ware.

Ware said Merino is an illegal immigrant and that an immigration hold was placed on him.

http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=238011

Gainesville Man Arrested in Forgery Case

Updated: Monday, 18 Apr 2011, 6:29 PM EDT
Published : Monday, 18 Apr 2011, 11:27 AM EDT

By MYFOXATLANTA STAFF/myfoxatlanta



GAINESVILLE, Ga. - Authorities in Hall County say a Gainesville man was arrested in connection with a forgery case investigation.

The Hall County Sheriff's Office says Guillermo Merino, 34, was arrested Friday, April 15.

Police say Merino was stopped near the 100 block of Highland Terrace and found to be in possession of $53,000 in United States Currency. A search warrant was executed at his residence at #57 Georgia Avenue, where an additional $412,000 was located. The total amount of the currency seized was $465,000.00.

Authorities believe the money to be proceeds from an illegal operation where Merino was utilizing illegal immigrants' identification information, filing tax returns on their behalf, and then cashing their tax return checks, keeping the money for himself.

When Merino was arrested, police say he was in possession of a Georgia driver's license that listed a false name and date of birth.

Merino is an illegal immigrant, residing in the United States; and an immigration hold was placed on him, say police.

Merino is being held at the Hall County Jail, and has been charged with 2nd Degree Forgery.

Agents with the Gang Task Force and the Multi Agency Narcotics Squad were assisting ICE at the time of the arrest.

www.myfoxatlanta.com

Related:
$500,000 Found in Illegal Immigrant Tax Raid
http://www.alipac.us/ftopic-235342-0.html

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/27601754/detail.html

This is so rich - interview with Hispanic cab driver:

Maria Romero is a cab driver who works in the area. She heard about the arrest and told Elliot she always warns immigrants not to trust people offering to help without first verifying who they are.
"It's pretty sad that people take advantage of things like that," said Romero. "I always try to tell my customers to be aware what they're doing and don't trust anybody on the streets who tell them I'll do this for you or will do that. I just tell them to go to a place where they have a name and have a permit and everything else."

Imagine - complaining about an illegal alien taking advantage of other illegal aliens! Sure, it is okay that they are working illegally, stealing our identities and our jobs, but heaven forbid someone should steal from the criminals.

There is terribly wrong with this lack of morality. If you are here illegally, you have no responsibility or duty to give back or respect your host country. And as far as these treasonous employers - these people want legitimate businesses to deal with their money but we are transferring ours to an illegal workforce.

Who can I sue for my blood pressure?