Sentencing For Ringleader Of $100 Million Tax Fraud Scheme

FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami/AP) - A sentencing hearing will resume Thursday for the so-called ringleader of a $100 million plus tax refund fraud scheme which was run out of a Miramar home.

Harlan Decoste, 27, pleaded guilty to fraud, identity theft and other charges. He faces a potential maximum of 29 years behind bars.

Decoste's attorney objects to the Internal Revenue Service's estimate of $108 million in potential tax refund losses as far too high. The IRS also says the scheme did obtain more than $28 million in actual fraudulent refunds. The loss amounts affect Decoste's eventual sentence.

Four other men have already been sent to prison. The operation was exposed after a May 2013 home invasion robbery.

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