KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — A Kingsport man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to fraud and money laundering charges in relation to a scheme that involved false COVID-19 employment tax credits, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

Ryan Glidewell, of Kingsport, pleaded guilty to the following:

• Conspiring to commit wire and mail fraud
• Aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return
• Money laundering

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee reports Glidewell conspired with other people to file false tax returns. The DOJ reports he and his co-conspirators created fake businesses to falsely claim tax credits.

The tax returns claimed more than $3.4 million in tax refunds that Congress created to help businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the DOJ, the IRS paid $1.8 million of the claimed false tax returns.

Glidewell is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 12, 2025.

The DOJ reports he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the conspiring to commit wire and mail fraud charge, a maximum of 10 years for the money laundering charge and a maximum of three years for the aiding and assisting in the filing of a false tax return charge.