LITTLE ROCK — A couple from Clinton is accused of hiding more than $100,000 from bankruptcy court after claiming to be bankrupt in 2009.
Richard Helus, 61, and April Helus, 41, are charged with conspiracy to defraud the U.S., bankruptcy fraud and six counts of structuring cash deposits to avoid federal reporting requirements. They each face up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count.
Authorities say the Heluses withdrew more than $70,000 from one bank account before filing for bankruptcy several months later. At that time, they stated their bank account balance was $1,780 and their cash on hand totaled just $80.
Prosecutors say the couple within about four-and-a-half months then deposited nearly $120,000 in cash into several other bank accounts they owned.
The IRS Criminal Investigation unit conducted the investigation.