MIAMI (AP) - The last of five people charged in a $2.5 million Florida identity theft and tax fraud organization has been sentenced to federal prison.
Court records show 22-year-old Lawrence Bernadel was sentenced recently to more than three years behind bars. Four other people received sentences ranging from probation to nearly six years in prison.
Federal prosecutors say the ring operated out of houses in Broward and Leon counties. Investigators say stolen identities were used to file 158 fraudulent tax returns seeking up to $2.5 million in federal tax refunds.
Four of the defendants will be required to pay more than $580,000 in restitution to the federal government. The fifth person was ordered to pay about $124,000 in restitution.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.