Lakeside mansions and sovereign citizens: MN man charged in $350 million fake tax return scheme

Prior Lake mansion tax scheme indictment

A Minnesota man is facing multiple federal charges after being accused of orchestrating a multi-million-dollar tax fraud scheme to buy this lakeside mansion in Prior Lake.

PRIOR LAKE, Minn. (FOX 9) - A Minnesota man is facing multiple federal charges after being accused of orchestrating a multi-million-dollar tax fraud scheme.

Minnesota man charged in $350 million fake tax return scheme

A Minnesota man is facing multiple federal charges after being accused of orchestrating a multi-million-dollar tax fraud scheme. A federal indictment alleges Cesar Munir Wilson's fake tax return claims total more than $350 million, of which the U.S. Treasury Department paid out $19 million. FOX 9's Mary McGuire has the story.

What we know:

A federal indictment alleges Cesar Munir Wilson's fake tax return claims total more than $350 million, of which the U.S. Treasury Department paid out $19 million.

Dig deeper:

Prosecutors allege Wilson used the money he stole from the federal government to buy this lakeside mansion in Prior Lake, and invest in cryptocurrency, among other things.

Wilson later began advising another man about how to file fake returns, even advising a group of "sovereign citizens" at one point. Sovereign citizens believe they are immune to laws and reject most forms of taxation.

What's next:

Wilson has entered a not guilty plea and has been released from custody on his own recognizance, subject to conditions.

He made his first appearance in court last week on money laundering, tax fraud and bank fraud charges.