A Florida man has pleaded guilty to cheating EPA out of millions of dollars in renewable energy credits.
Christopher Burdett, owner of Indian River Biodiesel in Fort Pierce, Florida, allegedly “vastly overstated” the company’s production to secure more credits, according to a Thursday press release from the Department of Justice.
DOJ said Burdett’s company generated more than $7 million EPA renewable fuel credits and sought over $6 million in separate tax credits.
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When EPA and IRS auditors started asking questions, Burdett lied about his company’s fuel numbers and customers, DOJ said. His general manager, Royce Gillham, was also privy to the scheme and was sentenced last year to 37 months in prison, the department said.
