ERIE, PA—A former resident of Brooklyn, New York, has been sentenced in federal court to 10 months in jail and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $89,007.42 on his conviction of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on William Sarfo, 42.

According to information presented to the court, Sarfo allowed bank accounts in his name and under his control to be used as repositories for fraudulently obtained federal tax refunds. Sarfo would then withdraw the fraudulently obtained refunds, keep a portion for himself and give the remainder of the money to another co-defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Sarfo.