Memphis, TN - Bryan Gardner, 31, of Cordova, TN, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge S. Thomas Anderson to 78 months in federal prison for stealing government funds through the filing of false income tax returns and identity theft, announced United States Attorney Edward L. Stanton III.
According to the Indictment and facts discussed in court, at different times between Aug. 19, 2010 and Nov. 15, 2011, Gardner and other individuals obtained the names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers of individuals without their knowledge or consent. He then provided this information to his brother, Jeremy Lasane, and other associates who filed taxes claiming refunds using this information. Gardner and Lasane opened bank accounts and directed the U.S. Department of Treasury Tax refunds associated with the false tax returns to be electronically deposited into these accounts. Over $135,000 of refunds were deposited into Gardner’s accounts.
Lasane was sentenced last year to serve 12 years in prison for a related tax fraud scheme. In addition to the prison sentence, Lasane was ordered to pay over $791,000 in restitution, and his vehicles, including a Maserati and Mercedes-Benz, were forfeited to the United States Government.
In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Anderson ordered Gardner to pay restitution in the amount of $135,595.26.
The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and IRS-Criminal Investigative Division. These cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Hall on behalf of the government.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
