ID Theft and Tax Fraud Ringleader gets Prison

Harlan Decoste, the ringleader of a tax fraud and ID theft ring, was arrested by Miramar Police for amassing $28 million by defrauding the IRS. He also attempted to get his hands on $108 million more from the IRS or basically the American tax payer. 

Sun-sentinel.com reports that federal prosecutors revealed that 27 year old Decoste had pleaded guilty but not before he and his tax lawyer spent three afternoons trying to convince a federal court judge that the actual amount of loss was the was nothing close to the $28 million.

But the arguments did not hold and Decoste was incarcerated for 19 and half years in prison. He also grudgingly agreed to pay $28.2 million restitution to the IRS. He still has it?!

Investigators said that Decoste and his employees were running a fraud factory in a rented house in Silver Falls Community which is a gated and guarded area. The fraud came to light in 2013 when the police started investigating an armed robbery that targeted the same house.

Judge’s opinion

William Dimitrouleas, a US District judge, was pleased when the IRS and prosecutors tied their $26 million losses to the fraudulent activities of Decoste. The Miramar Ring was also responsible for $29,000 ID thefts.

The entire Miramar ring which comprised of 6 men who plead guilty and did not contest the amount they owed to the IRS. Because of this investigators stopped tracing the dollars that were taken. This is why the judge also did not have any idea as to who exactly filed the fraudulent returns. However, in a statement the judge asserted that he suspected that the Miramar Ring was behind the fraud. He further said that he thinks it was the work of the fraud factory and that one of the leaders was Decoste.

Sounds pretty logical.

Opinion of defense attorney

Criminal defense or white collar criminal lawyer Barry Greff representing Decoste claimed that the prosecution had not shown any evidence linking the fraudulent tax returned to his client. Moreover he also claimed that the extent of the losses is also being grossly misrepresented.

The tax attorney also argued that the assets they had been traced to Decoste and his associates were not close to the things that criminals who commit fraud on this scale usually amass. Greff said that the investigators had not been able to find homes, properties, or major assets.

Prosecution’s findings

Decoste also known as the ‘Money King’ had told investigators that he was a drug addict who had wasted $1 million to get drugs. Mainly he liked cough syrups that had codeine. To cover his tax fraud he also founded a rap music company.

From his home investigators seized expensive jewelry, clothes, computers, and sneakers in addition to $170,000 in hard cash. There were about 500 pre-paid debit and credit cards recovered in the bust containing names of unknown people. Decoste had also involved his brother who was a minor in his fraudulent activities.

The Decostes had also carried on a similar operation in Georgia which he started after the 2013. So it seems his legal troubles are far from over.

If you have trouble with your taxes and the IRS, get yourself a tax lawyer to figure out how you can mitigate the issue and get back on track with your life and financial well-being.  

If you need a tax lawyer or any other type of legal counselor you need to click right here Tax.USAttorneys. This website has all its bases covered. If you need legal help, it is right around the virtual corner. Contact us if you need any assistance – we may even call you back in a couple of hours.