4th Florida man gets prison in $100M tax fraud case

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A fourth South Florida man was sentenced to prison Wednesday for his role in an estimated $100 million federal income tax fraud scheme that prosecutors have called one of the nation’s largest.

U.S. District Judge William Dimitrouleas sent Andy Cherrelus, 25, to prison for nearly eight years on fraud, identity theft and other convictions. Three other men were sent to prison Tuesday and a fifth, alleged ringleader Harlan Decoste, is set for sentencing Thursday.

The ring was based in a quiet suburban house in Miramar in southern Broward County. Internal Revenue Service investigators say 10 laptop computers were used between July 2011 and May 2013 in an attempt to steal more than $108 million in fraudulent refunds using about 29,000 stolen identities.

The operation as able to get at least $28.2 million in actual refunds from the IRS, according to court documents. The scheme came to light after a May 2013 home invasion robbery led police to stacks of cash, jewelry, expensive clothes and accessories, drugs and computer equipment containing the stolen identities.

Awaiting sentencing Thursday is Harlan Decoste, 27, who also went by “Money King,” and was described by investigators as the ringleader. Decoste founded a purported rap music company, GroundUp111, as a cover for the tax fraud operation, prosecutors say.

Decoste attorney Barry Greff is objecting to the huge amounts of actual and intended tax refund loss described by the IRS, contending the actual amounts were much lower. The loss amount affects the potential prison sentence Decoste will eventually serve.

“It’s hard to believe this incredible amount could possibly be associated with these five gentlemen,” Greff said at Wednesday’s hearing. “You’re alleging an unbelievable amount of money here.”

Decoste’s sentencing hearing will resume Thursday. He faces a maximum sentence of 29 years in prison.

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