The U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of Florida announced that the local president of “We Build the Wall” has been sentenced to 51 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to crimes related to his 2019 federal income taxes.
According to a release on April 26, Brian G. Kolfage, 41, of Miramar Beach in Florida, pled guilty to three federal charges related to filing false income tax returns in 2019. He admitted under oath that between January 2019 and July 2020 he defrauded the U.S. by illicitly receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars from multiple organizations including We Build the Wall, Inc. He deposited money into his personal bank account, and also failed to report income to the Internal Revenue Service. Kolfage also filed amended tax returns for 2019 that were false after learning he was being investigated. The amended returns still fraudulently failed to report income through We Build the Wall, both directly and indirectly. He also spent unreported income on personal boat payments, jewelry, a luxury SUV and cosmetic surgery.
“The United States relies on the honest payment of taxes to defend our country and maintain its operation,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Coody. “With the assistance of our dedicated law enforcement partners, we are committed to investigating and prosecuting those who falsely misrepresent their income – whether by traditional evasion or the filing of fraudulent documents to further their criminal schemes. This sentence should serve as a significant deterrent to such illegal conduct.”
Kolfage will have three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. He will also need to pay $143,003 in restitution to the U.S. for his tax crimes, as well as millions of dollars in forfeiture and restitution for defrauding donors of We Build the Wall.
This case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and also the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
"Mr. Kolfage deliberately and intentionally preyed on the hearts and pocketbooks of hardworking Americans as a way to fund his own lavish lifestyle," said Sherri E. Onks, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Jacksonville. "The FBI and our law enforcement partners will not tolerate this type of blatant fraud against unwitting donors, and this sentencing should serve as a warning to those who attempt to take advantage of others."
