CHICAGO, Illinois - A Filipino American certified public accountant and his brother have been indicted by a grand jury before the US District of the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago for allegedly preparing fraudulent income tax records that enabled them to obtain more than $167,768 in tax refunds, a loss to the US Treasury from 91 false refunds. Named in the 27-page indictment papers filed before Senior Judge Melton I.

Shadur were Pepito Guinto, 59, and his younger brother, Pablo Guinto, both of the Pepito O. Guinto CPA at 4411 North  Clark St. in Chicago’s northside. Pepito and Pablo Guinto were each indicted with eight-counts for violation of Title 26, United States Code Section 7206(2), which is the filing of tax fraud and false statements.

A single count of tax violation is a felony, which carries a fine of more than $100,000 or imprisonment of not more than three years, or both, together with the costs of prosecution.  This means that if one of the brothers  were convicted of all eight counts, he will be facing a maximum of 24 years in prison and $2-M in fine.Pepito is out on bail on his recognizance. If he fails to show up at a court hearing, Pepito is going to be compelled to pay a $6,000 bond. A a warrant of arrest was issued for Pablo when he failed to attend the first court hearing of the case last April. He fled from the United States and is believed to be in his native Manila in the Philippines. (Joseph G. Lariosa)