A South Florida federal judge ruled that a Florida rap label was at the heart of a $100 million federal income tax fraud scheme, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Ringleader Harlan Decoste, who is scheduled to be sentenced today (April 7), allegedly founded the rap company GroundUp111 as a cover for the racket. The label did not produce any music and Decoste faces up to 29 years in prison for his role in the scheme.
Andy Cherrelus was sentenced to nearly eight years in prison on fraud, identity theft and other convictions, according to the Associated Press. Kerby Luma received 11 years in prison, while Frances Jeudy was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years behind bars. Frantz Decoste was hit with a four-and-a-half year sentence.
Decoste and his four accomplices received approximately $28 million in fraudulent tax refunds using approximately 29,000 stolen identities. The crew was aiming for more than $108 million of returns.
