MN Man Asked IRS For $350M, Bought $2.6M Prior Lake Mansion: Feds

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Federal prosecutors say a Minnesota man asked the Internal Revenue Service for more than $350 million in tax refunds and used part of the proceeds to buy a $2.6 million mansion in Prior Lake.

Caesar M. Wilson, 37, made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court after a federal grand jury indicted him on charges of conspiracy to file false claims for tax refunds, filing a false claim for a tax refund, money laundering, and bank fraud.

The alleged conduct spans from 2022 to 2023. Wilson was released on an unsecured bond pending further court proceedings.

According to the indictment, Wilson personally filed tax returns falsely requesting more than $90 million in refunds and conspired with others to submit additional false returns seeking more than $210 million.

Prosecutors say the total fraudulent claims exceeded $350 million and resulted in the U.S. Treasury paying out more than $19 million in undeserved refunds.

Authorities allege Wilson used the funds to purchase the Prior Lake home, invest in cryptocurrency and other projects, and cover personal expenses.

Federal prosecutors also allege Wilson advised a group of individuals associated with the sovereign citizen movement on trusts and tax filings, providing forms and documents used in the scheme. Sovereign citizens falsely believe certain laws, including federal income tax laws, do not apply to them, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

“Individuals who file false claims for tax refunds and who conspire with others to violate the laws of the United States must be held accountable for their criminal conduct,” said Daniel N. Rosen.

The case is being investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew D. Forbes and Matthew D. Evans are prosecuting the case.