Gilmar Pereira Da Silva, Jr. was sentenced on May 4 to 37 months in federal prison for filing a false tax return, according to U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Katherine K. Mizelle, who also ordered Pereira Da Silva to pay $103,646 in restitution to the United States Department of the Treasury related to fraudulent IRS Forms 1040 filed for the years 2019 and 2020.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address tax fraud and protect taxpayer funds. Prosecutors said Pereira Da Silva pleaded guilty on February 9, admitting that he submitted false information on his returns.
Court documents show that Pereira Da Silva filed a false Form 1040 with the Internal Revenue Service for tax year 2021, seeking a refund of $3,413,844 based on fictitious fuel tax credits. The IRS did not process this particular return; however, similar fraudulent returns were previously processed for tax years 2019 and 2020—resulting in refunds of approximately $20,699 and $82,947 respectively—which were paid into accounts controlled by him.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division with a mission "to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars." The department said these efforts support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud—a government-wide initiative chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance aimed at reducing fraud within federal benefit programs.
The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation into this case. Assistant United States Attorney Jay G. Trezevant prosecuted it.
