Woman Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Filing False Tax Returns

BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Linda Rakonczay, 58, of Middleport, New York, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and filing false tax returns before Chief U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant worked as a payroll coordinator for Orleans Community Health in Medina, New York. Beginning in 2001 and continuing through 2012, Rakonczay prepared and submitted reports to the organization’s bank instructing the bank to electronically transfer money from the corporate bank account to her personal bank account. The amount transferred from the organization’s bank account to the defendant’s account totaled $499,563. For tax years 2007 through 2012, Rakonczay failed to report such income and failed to pay federal taxes to the Internal Revenue Service totaling nearly $94,000.
The conviction is the result of an investigation on the part of special agents of Federal Bureau of Investigation under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian P. Boetig and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations Division, under the direction of Toni M. Weirauch, Special Agent in Charge.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 5, 2014, before Chief Judge Skretny.