Record Staff Writer
September 11, 2011
STOCKTON - A Manteca woman who federal investigators said took advantage of Cambodian immigrants through her real estate business was sentenced Thursday to four months in jail and five years' probation for not reporting her business income.
Helen Sotiriadis pleaded guilty to felony tax evasion in April.
On Thursday, she was ordered to pay back the cost of investigating her case at the state level - $6,049 - and additional restitution of about $400.
She also must file amended state returns, making her and her husband liable for back taxes, interest and penalties. Prosecutor Stephen Taylor estimated the liability to be more than $100,000, but the amount is still being decided.
Sotiriadis and her husband earned $972,229 between 2006 and 2008. They claimed only the husband's income: $17,444 for 2008 and less than $32,000 for other years.
An FBI report also said Sotiriadis targeted Cambodian clients who spoke limited English, and because she falsely overstated their qualifications, they often ended up with mortgage payments they couldn't afford.
Sotiriadis, 51, opened a real estate business several years ago with her daughter, Irene Sotiriadis, who has since relocated to Greece.
Husband John Sotiriadis, a truck driver, initially faced charges because the couple filed joint returns, but prosecutors later dropped the case against him. Charges also were dropped against the daughter.
"After getting to know Helen, it just seemed to be more reasonable that Helen was behind all this," Taylor said.
Sotiriadis never will be eligible for a state occupational license that requires trust from clients, Taylor said. Taylor said in many cases felony tax evasion convictions can later be turned into misdemeanors, but Sotiriadis pleaded to a charge that will not be changed after she completes her probation.
Thursday's proceedings did not include federal tax liability. That will likely be a separate case.
"Helen is going to have a lifetime of consequences for doing this. ... Her punishment is not just jail," Taylor said. "That's why people really should not do this."
Taylor said businesses that have understated their income in past returns can simply file amended returns before the situation worsens to avoid prosecution.
Sotiriadis is scheduled to report to jail in late October.
Contact reporter Jennie Rodriguez-Moore at (209) 943-8564 or jrodriguez@recordnet.com.
September 11, 2011
STOCKTON - A Manteca woman who federal investigators said took advantage of Cambodian immigrants through her real estate business was sentenced Thursday to four months in jail and five years' probation for not reporting her business income.
Helen Sotiriadis pleaded guilty to felony tax evasion in April.
On Thursday, she was ordered to pay back the cost of investigating her case at the state level - $6,049 - and additional restitution of about $400.
She also must file amended state returns, making her and her husband liable for back taxes, interest and penalties. Prosecutor Stephen Taylor estimated the liability to be more than $100,000, but the amount is still being decided.
Sotiriadis and her husband earned $972,229 between 2006 and 2008. They claimed only the husband's income: $17,444 for 2008 and less than $32,000 for other years.
An FBI report also said Sotiriadis targeted Cambodian clients who spoke limited English, and because she falsely overstated their qualifications, they often ended up with mortgage payments they couldn't afford.
Sotiriadis, 51, opened a real estate business several years ago with her daughter, Irene Sotiriadis, who has since relocated to Greece.
Husband John Sotiriadis, a truck driver, initially faced charges because the couple filed joint returns, but prosecutors later dropped the case against him. Charges also were dropped against the daughter.
"After getting to know Helen, it just seemed to be more reasonable that Helen was behind all this," Taylor said.
Sotiriadis never will be eligible for a state occupational license that requires trust from clients, Taylor said. Taylor said in many cases felony tax evasion convictions can later be turned into misdemeanors, but Sotiriadis pleaded to a charge that will not be changed after she completes her probation.
Thursday's proceedings did not include federal tax liability. That will likely be a separate case.
"Helen is going to have a lifetime of consequences for doing this. ... Her punishment is not just jail," Taylor said. "That's why people really should not do this."
Taylor said businesses that have understated their income in past returns can simply file amended returns before the situation worsens to avoid prosecution.
Sotiriadis is scheduled to report to jail in late October.
Contact reporter Jennie Rodriguez-Moore at (209) 943-8564 or jrodriguez@recordnet.com.
1 comment:
Her entire family are crooks. Look at her brother. Father and mother. They owe millions to everyone in Manteca.
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