AFP, WASHINGTONAn American couple pleaded guilty to running a US$1 billion solar investment scam that they used to finance a luxury lifestyle, including buying Burt Reynolds’ sports car, US authorities announced on Friday. Investors were lured in by the promise of generous federal tax credits for solar power and earnings from leases on the units. NOT REALLY THEREHowever, authorities said at least half of the approximately 17,000 solar generators they claimed the company manufactured did not exist. His wife, Paulette Carpoff, 46, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit an offense against the US and money laundering. Four associates of the couple previously pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges related to the fraud scheme since October.
