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Florida Men Convicted in Tax Refund Scam
Two Florida men have been convicted of their involvement in a $100,000-plus tax refund fraud scheme, according to officials.
Marlan L. Copeland, of Miramar, and Brannoc K. Rudd, of Miami Gardens, were found guilty after a 10-day trial in federal court. The scheme resulted in the cashing of over $100,000 in tax refund checks.
The scheme took place between January 2010 and April 2010, when Copeland and Rudd brought over 20 checks into a Wachovia bank in Miami Gardens, Florida. Each check reflected a tax refund issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. At the bank, the defendants cashed the checks and left with the money.
At sentencing, which is currently set for April 20, 2015, at 3:00 p.m., before U.S. District Judge Joan A. Lenard, Copeland faces a maximum term of 12 years in prison and Rudd faces a maximum term of five years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the IRS-CI and USSS, and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Gonsoulin and John Byrne for their prosecution of the case.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Gonsoulin and John Byrne. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
This case is a reminder of the importance of protecting taxpayer dollars and the efforts of law enforcement agencies to prevent and prosecute tax refund scams.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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