Treasury secretary seeks unpaid taxes from accused in scheme

Treasury Secretary Ángel Pantoja Rodríguez

By THE STAR STAFF

Treasury Secretary Ángel Pantoja Rodríguez announced Thursday the start of an administrative process to recover unpaid taxes from individuals and corporations accused in a fraud scheme exceeding $9 million.

The case, revealed on Oct. 29 of this year, followed a joint investigation by the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Puerto Rico’s Treasury Department.

“As part of the actions we are taking in response to this case, the Internal Revenue Division has begun assessing and collecting taxes these individuals evaded,” Pantoja Rodríguez said. “These tax debts amount to approximately $9,360,242 and include various types, such as income tax, employer withholdings, and sales and use tax. We have also identified other violations, including unreported income and failure to file returns.”

The recovery process involves notifying those implicated and assessing liabilities to determine the tax responsibility of the accused individuals and corporations. To secure payment, the department initiated a “jeopardy assessment” procedure aimed at preventing taxpayers from disposing of assets. Pantoja Rodríguez emphasized that taxpayers’ rights under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights and due process will be upheld.

Under Sections 6010.02 and 6010.03 of Puerto Rico’s Internal Revenue Code of 2011, as amended, those notified may request reconsideration and an administrative hearing before the Treasury’s Appeals Office and suspend collection efforts by posting a bond.

The secretary also noted that on Nov. 14, the department issued notices to suspend alcoholic beverage licenses for establishments implicated in Criminal Indictment No. 25-434. That indictment includes 138 charges against 26 individuals and corporations for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, bribery, and defrauding the island treasury of more than $3.5 million.