The founder of a defunct tax advice company was convicted Thursday for his part in a scheme that prosecutors say defrauded customers of more than $75 million.

Michael Craig Cooper, 53, founder and president of Renaissance-The Tax People, was convicted of 75 charges including mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy, the U.S. attorney’s office said.

He was found not guilty of 73 other charges, including mail fraud and preparing false returns.

A state judge shut down the Topeka-based company in Kansas in 2001 for operating what officials called an illegal pyramid scheme.

Prosecutors said that from 1997 to 2002, Renaissance claimed to help clients reduce their tax bills.

It showed taxpayers how to claim deductions for home-based businesses, which usually involved selling the Renaissance system.