[Texas] Six arrests in San Antonio over $1.4m payroll fraud scheme

[Texas] Six arrests in San Antonio over $1.4m payroll fraud scheme
26 Apr 2021

Six people have been arrested in San Antonio, Texas, on criminal charges related to a payroll scheme to defraud two transportation companies of more than $1.4 million, FOX 7 reports.

According to court documents, Veronica Rios (42) of Salado, Mario Martinez (48) of Von Ormy and Pedro Guillen (48), Guadalupe Alsidez 47), Amanda Hernandez (23) and Maira Vargas (37) of San Antonio defrauded the transportation companies of over $1,407,000 through their payroll scheme.

The U.S. Attorney's office said Ms Rios has been charged with 18 counts of wire fraud and the remaining five have each been charged with three counts of wire fraud.

Ms Rios processed payroll for the companies and in 2017 she started overpaying employees in exchange for a portion of the overpayment, according to the indictment. To further the scheme, Ms Rios also added non-employees to the payroll who also gave her part of the payments they received.

Ms Rios, Mr Martinez, and Ms Alsidez were reportedly arrested on April 19 and remain in custody pending detention hearings. Mr Guillen, Ms Hernandez, and Ms Vargas were arrested on April 21 but have been released on bond.

The defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment on each count if convicted.

Source: FOX 7

Six people have been arrested in San Antonio, Texas, on criminal charges related to a payroll scheme to defraud two transportation companies of more than $1.4 million, FOX 7 reports.

According to court documents, Veronica Rios (42) of Salado, Mario Martinez (48) of Von Ormy and Pedro Guillen (48), Guadalupe Alsidez 47), Amanda Hernandez (23) and Maira Vargas (37) of San Antonio defrauded the transportation companies of over $1,407,000 through their payroll scheme.

The U.S. Attorney's office said Ms Rios has been charged with 18 counts of wire fraud and the remaining five have each been charged with three counts of wire fraud.

Ms Rios processed payroll for the companies and in 2017 she started overpaying employees in exchange for a portion of the overpayment, according to the indictment. To further the scheme, Ms Rios also added non-employees to the payroll who also gave her part of the payments they received.

Ms Rios, Mr Martinez, and Ms Alsidez were reportedly arrested on April 19 and remain in custody pending detention hearings. Mr Guillen, Ms Hernandez, and Ms Vargas were arrested on April 21 but have been released on bond.

The defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment on each count if convicted.

Source: FOX 7