Fort Myers man indicted in $2M tax scam

FORT MYERS — A federal grand jury indicted a Fort Myers grocery store owner on allegations he cashed more than $2 million worth of fraudulently filed U.S. tax refunds.

Ramon Almengo, 47, faces a maximum of five years in prison if convicted of the charge, conspiracy to commit theft of government funds. Authorities charged Almengo March 11 with a criminal complaint in the case, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's office.

Almengo, court documents state, owned and operated Mi Bodegon Latino y Mas, Inc. in Fort Myers. Prosecutors contend he cashed $2,053,328.28 worth of IRS tax refund checks that came from fraudulently filed tax returns. The tax returns, authorities allege, utilized stolen personal identification information. Almengo allegedly retained 20% of each check he cashed on behalf of the conspirators, the release states.    

The indictment notifies Almengo that the government will seek a money judgment in the amount of $2,053,328.28, the alleged proceeds of the offense. An arraignment of Almengo is scheduled for March 27 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas Frazier.