ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced that Arturo Archuleta was arraigned on July 13 on an indictment charging him with five counts of attempting to evade or defeat taxes and one count of false statements relating to healthcare matters. Archuleta, 50, of Albuquerque, will remain on conditions of release pending trial.
A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment on June 15. According to the indictment, from 2014 to 2018, Archuleta worked as an office manager at ABQ Injury Clinic in Albuquerque. During that time, Archuleta allegedly attempted to conceal taxable income from the IRS. Archuleta allegedly made false entries and altered accounting records of ABQ Injury Clinic, causing the clinic not to file Form 1099s and Form W-2s recording his income. Archuleta also allegedly used cash and a nominee bank account under a fictitious name to avoid scrutiny.
The indictment also alleges that on March 27, 2018, Archuleta made false statements, claiming that he was homeless and that he had zero monthly income, in connection with the delivery of and payment for healthcare benefits, items and services involving Centennial Care and United Healthcare. Centennial Care operates Medicaid in New Mexico through managed care organizations, including United Healthcare.
An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Archuleta faces up to five in prison for attempting to evade or defeat taxes and up to five years in prison for false statements relating to healthcare matters.
The FBI investigated the healthcare component of this case, with IRS Criminal Investigation investigating tax evasion. Assistant United States Attorney Taylor F. Hartstein is prosecuting the case.
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