ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A Canadian man has been sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for helping cheat the United States out of $3.5 million.
In addition to 135 months in prison, Kevin Cyster also must pay the money back.
The Burlington, Ont., resident was sentenced Monday in federal court in Rochester, N.Y., where he was convicted in September on numerous counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and commit theft of government funds.
Authorities say Cyster was part of a group that filed false tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service claiming millions of dollars in refunds.
The IRS paid out more than $3.5 million before detecting the fraud.
Renee Jarvis of Ontario pleaded guilty in 2014.
Ronald Brekke of California is serving a 12-year sentence after his 2012 conviction.
