By Chuck Gallagher on 2/26/2008 12:13 AM

The similarities are amazing. T. Milton Street was charged with mail and wire fraud along with failure to file tax returns. Just like in the Snipes trial - all the government got was a conviction for failure to file tax returns. The jury acquitted Street of mail- and wire-fraud offenses in an alleged scheme to sell an airport-maintenance contract they did not control.

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By Chuck Gallagher on 2/25/2008 11:30 PM

Former Vice President of Burlington Bank and Trust (BBT) Michael Dean Miller, age 51, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison - and all this happened the day before Valentines day. What's significant about that? Read below!

In March 2000, Miller was hired as Vice President for Operations at BBT. In June 2006, he was transferred to Vice President for Operations at TRBT, but also continued working in a dual capacity at BBT until his termination on December 12, 2006. During the relevant period, both Miller and his girlfriend (later fiancé, later wife) maintained various savings and checking accounts at BBT.

Starting on September 7, 2001, and continuing until December 12, 2006, Miller stole money from his emplo ... Read More »

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By Chuck Gallagher on 2/25/2008 11:28 PM

Christou was a gambler, in more than one way. But every choice has a consequence! It is like the law of gravity. The bold statement above is factual - you will reap what you sow. The question is here - what will the final consequence be for Anthony Christou, age 57, who was just convicted on charges of wire fraud and money laundering relating to an investment fraud scheme.

According to a Department of Justice News Release:

“This defendant personally met with dozens of victims, telling each that he would use their money to underwrite legitimate mortgages. He knew at the time that he had no intention of using his investors' money legitimately, but rather that their funds would be put to use in keeping a massive Pon ... Read More »

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By Chuck Gallagher on 2/25/2008 11:27 PM

Sorry about the play on words, but Lucky Mata, 47, of West Palm Beach, and owner of Kodiak Construction and Management, Inc., was sentenced on Friday, February 22, 2008 to serve a total of ten years in prison on multiple charges relating to his evasion of federal payroll taxes.

Ten years in prison is nothing to sneeze at. Having been there, as best I recall, if one earns this dubious distinction - especially with that number of years - it won't be spent in a minimum security facility. So "Lucky" won't find himself so lucky when he enters a medium security federal prison.

So what's the background? According to the news release from the US Attorney's office:

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By Chuck Gallagher on 2/25/2008 11:26 PM

The US Attorney's office recently announced two high profile cases involving child pornography and child sex offenses.

First, Metropolitan Police Department Officer, Kenneth Longerbeam, age 39, has pled guilty to traveling to the District of Columbia in order to have sex with a minor in December 2007.

This case tragically illustrates that child predators come from all walks of life, even those sworn to uphold the law” stated U.S. Attorney Taylor. “We must be vigilant in our efforts to protect our children from those who wish to do harm to the most precious, yet vulnerable members of our community.”

“Every member of the Metro ... Read More »

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By Chuck Gallagher on 2/24/2008 9:19 AM

Having the highest rated show on A&E, only to get it pulled, because of racial slurs that were taped, has been the plight of Dog the Bounty Hunter. Now, I must admit, I've only seen the show in passing a time or two. It, honestly, isn't something that meets my entertainment needs. However, on the rare occasions that I have seen a few minutes of it, I can see why folks would watch.

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By Chuck Gallagher on 2/23/2008 11:39 PM

David Bermingham, 44, Gary Mulgrew, 45, and Giles Darby, 44, the so-called "NatWest Three" were sentenced to thirty-seven month prison terms. The three former British investment bankers for NatWest Bank who were charged for their role in helping former Enron CFO Andrew Fastow dress up the company's balance sheet.

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By Chuck Gallagher on 2/23/2008 6:08 PM

On Friday, February 22, 2008, a federal grand jury in Arizona returned a 35-count indictment yesterday against Richard G. Renzi, 49, of Flagstaff, Ariz., the U.S. Representative from Arizona’s first congressional district; James W. Sandlin, 56, of Sherman, Texas, a real estate investor and Renzi's business associate; and Andrew Beardall, 36, of Rockville, Md., Renzi’s business associate.

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By Chuck Gallagher on 2/23/2008 12:41 AM

Commit a fraud - make that choice - and a consequence you won't want - will follow! That's exactly what happened to a former Auburn University Professor and Army Lt. Col. Loyd Frank Lawing, Jr., age 53, was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison, required to pay nearly $1 million in restitution and over $300,000 to the IRS.

Seems that Lawing embezzled nearly $100,000 from the Small Business Administration (SBA) in 9/11 disaster relief funds and over $940,000 from the Auburn University branch of Alpha Tau Omega (“ATO”). Lawings sentence is the longest sentence handed down for a case arising from fraud involving SBA 9/11 disaster relief loans in the nation, according to SBA’s Office of Inspector General.

“Mr. Lawing misused his fid ... Read More »

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By Chuck Gallagher on 2/23/2008 12:12 AM

White collar crime is no respecter of persons. It seems that anyone can fall prey. Rev. Rodney Rodis, age 51, a retired Roman Catholic priest was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison. Why? Theft on a grand scale - Rodis plead guilty in October '07 to mail fraud and money laundering in a theft that amounted to more than $600,000.

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