Date: July 31, 2023 Contact: newsroom@ci.irs.gov Three local residents have been charged in a 27-count indictment alleging losses of more than $300,000 to the IRS, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Elizabeth Romo turned herself in today and is expected to make her initial appearance this morning in McAllen. Authorities took Maria Lourdes Campos and Gloria Romo into custody last week. The indictment, returned July 11 and unsealed in its entirety today, alleges Campos, Elizabeth Romo and Gloria Romo knowingly submitted dozens of fraudulent tax returns to the IRS in order to garner larger tax breaks for her clients. The three women allegedly prepared Forms 1040 containing fraudulent Schedules A and C with false residential energy, child and dependent care expense credits. The charges allege the false and or inflated deductions occurred on client tax returns for tax years 2017 through 2020. Campos Tax Services' clients received a larger refund than they were entitled to receive or paid a lesser amount of taxes owed to the IRS, according to the indictment. As a result of the scheme, all three allegedly caused a total loss to the IRS of over $300,000 over the course of four years. If convicted, they each face up to five years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. IRS - Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric D. Flores and Cahal McColgan are prosecuting the case.
