Israeli-U.S. Crime Ring Cracked

Israeli authorities have busted a tax fraud scheme that is accused of swindling tens of millions of dollars from U.S. tax agencies, the New York Times reports. Nine men stand accused of filing "fraudulent requests for tax refunds in the name of prisoners in federal penitentiaries, without the prisoners’ knowledge." The alleged ring leader is Rabbi Marvin Berkowitz, of Chicago. In 2003, the shady holy man fled the U.S. after being convicted of another plan involving tax fraud. The team that uncovered the ring was composed of both Israeli and U.S. authorities who apparently had a sense of humor: the name of their operation was "American Pie."