A Cobb County man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for stealing hundreds of inmates' identifications to file bogus tax returns, authorities said.
Federal prosecutors said Bradford Thomas, 47, claimed more than $5.5 million in fraudulent income tax between January 2010 and May 2013.
"This defendant used the stolen identities of prisoners to steal millions of taxpayer dollars and enrich his own lifestyle," said U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. "This case exemplifies our continuing efforts to combat identity-theft schemes designed to steal tax dollars, which have grown to disturbing levels."
Thomas pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in November, authorities said.
According to prosecutors, Thomas orchestrated a plan to file more than 1,200 false tax returns using the names and Social Security numbers of numerous individuals, including a number of prison inmates who were incarcerated during his scheme.
Refunds from the fraudulent tax filings were directed to bank accounts that either Thomas or those working with him controlled, court officials said.
In August 2013, federal agents searching properties linked to Thomas uncovered $438,080 in cash, two handguns, jewelry and several luxury vehicles, authorities said.
In addition to being sentenced for 10 years and one month in prison, Thomas must serve three years of supervised release and must pay more than $1.6 million of restitution to the IRS, authorities said.
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