SYRACUSE – A Buffalo man was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of eleven counts of filing fraudulent claims against the United States.  Following his term of incarceration, Ronald Williams, 48, will serve a three year term of supervised release.  Williams was also ordered to pay a special assessment of $1,200. 

In January a jury returned a verdict of guilty against Williams on all twelve counts in the indictment after a three-day jury trial in federal court.  The evidence presented at the trial showed that Williams, while housed at various New York State Correctional Facilities, filed eleven tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service during tax years 2006 through 2010.  As part of his scheme to defraud the IRS, Williams applied for a fraudulent refund which resulted, initially, in the issuance of a refund check in the amount of $327,456.04.  The check was intercepted by prison authorities and promptly returned to the Internal Revenue Service.  To further his claims,

Williams subsequently fabricated withholdings on numerous Forms 1099-OID by claiming false withholding credits.  The eleven returns were for payment of refunds of taxes totaling $890,000,000.