2 men from Zimbabwe sentenced to years in prison in Ohio-based tax fraud scheme
3/13/2014CINCINNATI — Two men from Zimbabwe charged with using the identities of hundreds of Americans to file false tax returns in a Cincinnati-based scheme have been sentenced.
Tawanda Marimbire was sentenced to about six years in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud. Robert Bungu was sentenced to two years after pleading guilty to engaging in illegal monetary transactions.
Federal Judge Susan Dlott handed down those sentences March 7 and ordered both to collectively pay $5 million in restitution.
Authorities say seven men with ties to Zimbabwe ran a tax preparation business in Cincinnati, and used the identities of at least 658 people to file false returns, collecting up to $10 million.
A third man is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty. The other four fled to Zimbabwe after an indictment.