Three Michigan residents were in court just yesterday for a preliminary examination after they were charged with a number of different white collar crimes. The criminal charges came last week.
Being charged with any type of crime is a serious matter. A conviction can lead to different penalties such as prison or probation. But even if charges are eventually dismissed, these types of accusations can follow a person for the rest of his or her life.
In this particular case, it is unclear what sort of penalties these three individuals will be facing. The investigation initially began after authorities got wind of a scam that supposedly involved identity theft and thousands of dollars in stolen money.
The three individuals are accused of using other people's identities to file falsified claims and collec money from the state in tax refunds and unemployment benefits. They also allegedly set up nearly 20 fake businesses in order to perpetuate their criminal activity.
After the conclusion of the investigation, official charges were filed against them by the state. These charges include:
- Identity theft
- Racketeering
- Conspiracy to commit insurance fraud
- Tax fraud
- Welfare fraud
- Filing a false felony report
Facing these types of charges can be daunting in and of themselves. But dealing with the potential consequences can make a situation overwhelming. For people who find themselves in a situation similar to this one, speaking with someone who understands the implications of criminal charges is beneficial. This can help protect one's rights and future.
Source: Detroit Free Press, "Trio accused of setting up phony firms to scam Michigan out of $250,000," Joe Swickard, Nov. 4, 2011
No Comments
Leave a comment