Ex-jail supervisor in Va. guilty of fraud

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A former Piedmont Regional Jail supervisor has been convicted in a tax return conspiracy.

The government says 49-year-old William A. Coles Jr. of Pamplin was convicted Thursday in Richmond on several federal counts involving his wife, Sybil Coles. Coles could be punished with up 48 years in prison at his sentencing in August.

Sybil Coles was sentenced to five years in prison earlier this month.

According to prosecutors, Coles told co-workers at the Farmville regional jail where he worked that his wife knew of secret law enforcement loopholes to get larger tax refunds. They then collected fees for his wife to prepare false tax returns.

They pocketed money from the scheme and spent it on personal living expenses.

William Coles was convicted by jurors on bank fraud and other counts.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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