NASHVILLE (AP) — A Nashville man who committed bank fraud while awaiting sentencing for stealing tax refund checks was sentenced this week to more than four years in prison.

Charles Burnett was initially charged in September 2018 with conspiracy to steal government funds and aggravated identity theft, according to a news release from the U.S. attorney's office in Nashville.

An investigation revealed that Burnett and co-conspirators stole more than $636,000 in tax refund checks. They were successful in obtaining more than $271,000 from the checks. Burnett pleaded guilty to the scheme in November 2018.

While awaiting sentencing last year, he opened a series of bank accounts and then claimed fraud so the banks would reimburse him, according to the news release.

Burnett pleaded guilty to the new scheme in April and was in custody pending sentencing on Wednesday where he was also ordered to pay more than $566,000 in restitution and forfeiture.