Anchorage Daily News

Kong Lor, 25, was sentenced to two years in federal prison Wednesday for a tax scheme that fleeced the government out of more than $100,000 while taking advantage of Hmong elders who spoke little English, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

Prosecutors said he filed fraudulent tax returns for elders who were on Supplemental Security Income, a federal program designed to support old, blind and disabled people who cannot support themselves.

The fake returns said that an income had been earned, taxes had been paid and a refund was due.

When a refund was paid, Lor took 25 percent, prosecutors said. In all, he filed 97 returns, requesting a total of $333,355 on behalf of 40 people. The IRS actually paid out $111,520, court documents said.

Lor's father, Vue Lor, has said previously that his son didn't understand that he was breaking the law.

Along with jail time, Lor will also have to pay back what was stolen.

"This matter shows how important it is to choose your tax return preparer as carefully as you would a doctor or a lawyer," said Daniel Wardlaw, an IRS special agent and public information officer.

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