The Brief
- Four Georgia men have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a massive pandemic tax fraud scheme that attempted to steal nearly $17.5 million.
- Federal authorities uncovered the multimillion-dollar fraud during Operation Sweet Silence, an investigation into a major criminal gang in Columbus.
- Judges ordered the four co-defendants to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars each in restitution after they filed falsified tax returns claiming COVID-19 relief credits.
COLUMBUS, Ga. – Four Georgia men who conspired to steal millions in pandemic relief funds designed for struggling small businesses and workers have been sentenced to federal prison, federal officials announced.
Columbus gang investigation
What we know:
Law enforcement first uncovered the fraudulent tax deposits during Operation Sweet Silence, a broader investigation into organized crime in Columbus, according to federal prosecutors.
Wiretaps captured a suspect discussing a 20% cut from a fraudulent Employee Retention Credit scheme, prompting federal agents to open a tax fraud case.…