Las Vegas Man Sentenced for Tax Fraud Scheme

Ivan Odiaga, a Las Vegas resident, has been sentenced to 38 months in federal prison for his role in a tax fraud scheme that sought over $5 million in fraudulent tax refunds from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The U.S. Attorney's Office announced that Odiaga was also ordered to pay $1,052,378 in restitution.

According to the Justice Department, Odiaga conspired with his mother, Iris Hondermann, to defraud the United States by filing false tax returns. The fraudulent activity took place at Silver State Tax & Multiservices LLC, a tax preparation business in Las Vegas owned by Hondermann. From approximately 2017 through 2021, the duo prepared tax returns for clients that included false items such as business profits and losses, COVID-19 sick and family leave credits, and residential energy credits.

The IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) revealed that Odiaga and Hondermann prepared false tax returns seeking more than $5 million in refunds that their clients were not entitled to receive. Additionally, they diverted more than $1.1 million in fraudulent tax refunds to bank accounts they controlled. In 2020 and 2021, Odiaga used the Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) of another tax preparer without permission to file some of these returns.

Hondermann, who was a co-defendant in the case, previously pleaded guilty on August 5 to one count of conspiring to defraud the United States. The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Stuart A. Wexler of the National Fraud Enforcement Division’s Tax Section.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada emphasized the seriousness of the crime, stating, "This office has zero tolerance for corrupt tax professionals who treat the U.S. Treasury like their personal slush fund and prey on innocent taxpayers." Acting Special Agent in Charge John Abram of the IRS-CI San Francisco Field Office added that the sentence "sends a clear message that tax professionals who abuse their position of trust and steal from taxpayers are being held accountable."

The case highlights the ongoing efforts of the Department of Justice's Fraud Division, which was announced on April 7, to combat fraud against the American people. This initiative supports President Trump's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance, which aims to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within federal benefit programs.