PANAMA CITY — Four defendants were sentenced for federal tax fraud Thursday, receiving more than 20 years in prison and nearly $900,000 in restitution payments between them.
Wilson Calle, 55, of New York; Blaine Johnston, 62, of Marianna; Wilfredo Rodriguez, 53; and Diana Gonzalez, 63, both of Miami, were all found guilty after a jury trial here in September in federal district court. The four conspired to defraud the U.S. government with false federal income tax returns; in 2008 and 2009, they filed fraudulent tax returns seeking more than $19 million in refunds, according to a news release.
Calle and Johnston each received 6½ years in prison and must each pay nearly $250,000 in restitution to the IRS. Rodriguez received 2¼ years in prison and must pay about $160,000 in restitution to the IRS. Gonzalez received 5¼ years and must pay nearly $250,000 in restitution to the IRS.
“We will continue to aggressively pursue those who defraud and illegally manipulate the tax system, especially those individuals who concoct schemes to submit false tax returns and assist others in doing so,” said U.S. Attorney Pamela C. March.