A federal jury in Ocala, Florida has found Clarence Christofer Ward, also known as Khaled Yaqud Mansur-El, guilty of wire fraud, money laundering, and making a false claim to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The announcement was made by United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
Ward was convicted on one count of wire fraud, ten counts of money laundering, and one count of making a false claim to the IRS. He faces up to 125 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been scheduled.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that in November 2020, Ward electronically filed a tax return for a Trust under his name. On this return, he falsely stated that the Trust had paid more than $7 million in taxes for 2019 and requested a refund of $4.1 million from the IRS. The fraudulent tax return was filed from the Middle District of Florida and processed in Utah.
Records from the IRS indicated that the Trust had never paid any federal taxes despite Ward’s claims. Before discovering the deception, the IRS issued Ward a refund check for $4.1 million. He then used these funds to purchase four residential properties, buy a luxury car, take vacations, and invest in brokerage accounts.
The jury determined that the residential properties bought with these funds could be forfeited to the United States government.
“This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson,” according to information provided by officials.
