Maui Woman Pleads Guilty in Tax Refund Scam

Maui resident, Nicole Rapoza entered a guilty plea on Dec. 3, 2015, to violating three counts of filing false tax returns and two counts of aiding and abetting the filing of false tax returns in Second Circuit Court, state official said.

State Tax officials claim Rapoza filed false federal and state tax returns by using fictitious wage statements, and allegedly attempted to unlawfully claim a tax refund.

“Individuals who file for fraudulent tax refunds are stealing from the people of Hawaiʻi,” said state Tax Director Maria Zielinski.  “They will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” she said.

When sentenced, state officials say Rapoza faces a fine of not more than $100,000; imprisonment of no more than three years; or probation.

The investigation into this case was conducted by the state Department of Taxation Criminal Investigation Section in conjunction with the state Department of the Attorney General.