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(CNN Spanish) --
The Economic Crimes Division of the Puerto Rico Department of Justice filed five charges this Wednesday against Jorge Christian Batista Agront, a Puerto Rican influencer for allegedly owing "the Treasury about US $ 7.6 million, after failing to comply with their duty to report more than US$11 million in their personal and corporate Income Tax Returns, during the years 2017 to 2022”.
Through a press release it was announced that the charges against Batista Agront are five for not filing returns, in violation of section 6030.11 of the Internal Revenue Code of Puerto Rico.
Four of them for his personal tax returns and one related to the return of his company Jettrades.
"The influencer, who claims to be an expert in the cryptocurrency market, could face a sentence of three to eight years in prison for each charge and a fine of up to US $ 20,000," reads part of the statement.
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Judge Raiza Cajigas Campbell of the San Juan Court found cause for the arrest of Batista Agront, who acquiesced to the court's determination.
He was given a lump sum bail of US$100,000, which he paid and was released.
The preliminary hearing of the case was scheduled for July 28.
Attorney Francisco Rebollo Casalduc, legal representative of Batista Agront, expressed in written statements that his client “will face this situation responsibly and with the priority it requires.
A new firm of accountants and auditors was hired and, together with the legal team, they are already working to clarify this situation.
It is hoped that a favorable resolution will be achieved.
Meanwhile, after posting the bail imposed and being released, Mr. Batista will continue with the management of his company and the development of his projects”.
According to the Department of Justice “the influencer”, who also “identifies himself as Chris Agront and also markets himself as a financial educator.
He uses digital platforms such as YouTube, Instagram and Facebook to sell courses entitled "One Day Mastermind" to 'create millionaires' in which he charges up to US $ 5,000.00 per course.
In his videos, he shows off his expensive life, lodging in exclusive hotels, luxury cars, designer clothes, jewelry, watches, private jet trips around the world such as Rome, India, Dubai, Europe, Australia, Sahara, among others. .
In addition, this highlights that he earns more than a million dollars a month ”.
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"Including fines and penalties, the defendant owes the treasury approximately US$4,526,216 individually and US$3,094,349 for his corporation, for around US$7.6 million," he reported in the part of press the prosecutor of the Department of Justice, Deborah Rodríguez Ortiz.
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In the statement, it is reported that the investigation of the case was a collaborative alliance between the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Justice of Puerto Rico.
"This is the most sophisticated tax evasion case that the Public Ministry has seen and at the same time the most unfortunate, because it refers to a young businessman recognized by the media as a successful person and an example for many to follow," he said in a statement. written statements by the Secretary of the Treasury, Francisco Parés Alicea.
While the Secretary of Justice, Domingo Emanuelli, stated that "we will continue to fight tax evasion and prosecute this type of high-profile cases."
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