A Florida man has pleaded guilty to his role in a fraudulent scheme that generated over $7 million in fake Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) renewable fuels credits and attempted to claim more than $6 million in fraudulent tax credits tied to the production of biodiesel.
Royce Gillham, the former general manager of a biofuel company based in Fort Pierce, Florida, admitted to conspiring with others to falsely report biodiesel production to the IRS and EPA. Court documents reveal that Gillham’s company inflated its reported fuel production to generate more renewable fuel credits, which were then sold for profit. When auditors questioned the company’s production claims, Gillham and his co-conspirators provided false information about the amount of fuel produced and the customers involved in the transactions.
Gillham pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and to filing false claims. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the conspiracy charge. A federal district court judge will determine his sentencing date, taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The fraud scheme involved fraudulent claims made in connection with the production and sale of biodiesel, which is used to meet federal renewable fuel standards aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The case highlights ongoing efforts to crack down on fraudulent claims within the renewable energy sector.
