Judge Sentences Brooklyn Man for Role in Refund Fraud Scheme

ERIE, Pa. – A resident of Brooklyn, New York has been sentenced in federal court to 4 months in jail and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $38,656 on his conviction of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Festus Owusu, 44, of Brooklyn, New York.

According to information presented to the court, Owusu allowed his bank accounts to be used as repositories for fraudulently obtained federal tax refunds. Owusu would then withdraw the refunds in cash, keep a portion for himself and provide the remainder of the funds to his co-conspirators.

Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Acting U.S. Attorney Song commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Owusu.