Adrian Fluellen, 29, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced for his role in a multi-state, million-dollar unemployment insurance fraud scheme aimed at defrauding the U.S. government and the states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Maryland of funds earmarked for unemployment assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Check washing is a new high-tech scam that's costing thousands of dollars to those who are being affected.

Criminal gangs in Detroit have a reputation for street violence, but one gang tried moving its crimes from the streets to the internet.

A former Wayne County Roads Division employee is accused of conspiring to steal more than $1.7 million in county funds.

A Michigan man was sentenced to five years in federal prison for lying to Veterans Affairs (VA) to obtain $250,000 in benefits.

A Michigan veteran has been sentenced to five years in prison after investigators who followed him discovered he had faked injuries that allowed him to claim more than $260,000 in federal benefits.

An Oakland County podiatrist was convicted for his role in devising and executing a $1.8 million fraud scheme.

A Southfield man has been sentenced for using identity theft to obtain more than $400,000 in unemployment insurance benefits.

Officials say that a former claims manager for the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency has been sentenced in a COVID-19 fraud scheme.

Two brothers from West Bloomfield have been sentenced in connection with a $9.2 million fraud scheme centered around selling illegally obtained gift cards.

Officials need help to identify two women involved with using stolen credit cards to make purchases around Metro Detroit.

David Jankowski, 62-year-old Bingham Farms physician was convicted by a federal jury in Detroit on 30 charges related to a $35 million controlled substance operation.

A woman has been sentenced after she created aliases for herself in order to become the fake heir to people who died so she could steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from Veterans Affairs and Michigan Treasury, officials said.

People who defrauded the government over pandemic money have been using taxpayer money to buy cars, jewelry and more -- but the FBI says they won’t get away with it for long.

On Thursday (June 2), DTE launched an investigation after it appeared that a customer’s identity was stolen to establish new service.

The Michigan Board of State Canvassers is set to meet Thursday to determine who will appear on the ballot for the 2022 gubernatorial primary election in August after five GOP candidates reportedly failed to submit enough nominating signatures.

The Michigan Board of State Canvassers is set to meet this week to determine who will appear on the ballot for the 2022 gubernatorial primary election in August after five GOP candidates reportedly failed to submit enough nominating signatures.

Three letter carriers have been charged for accepting bribes from a Farmington Hills man to help him steal credit cards from other people and intercept fraudulent COVID unemployment benefits he sent to homes along their routes, officials said.

A 28-year-old Farmington Hills man bribed letter carriers to obtain other people’s credit cards and later expanded his scheme to have those carriers intercept fraudulent COVID unemployment benefits he had filed for and sent to homes along their routes, officials said.

Two Detroit men and a Warren woman helped a former Michigan resident who is currently in prison operate a $2.2 million scheme that involved submitting 240 fraudulent COVID unemployment insurance claims, officials said.

A West Bloomfield house was raided Tuesday after Wayne County Roads Division workers used $1.7 million in taxpayer money to fraudulently purchase 596 generators and sell them for personal profit, officials said.

A West Bloomfield house was raided Tuesday after Wayne County Roads Division workers used $1.7 million in taxpayer money to fraudulently purchase 596 generators and sell them for personal profit, officials said.

A former member of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after a scheme designed to award pandemic-era benefits to people submitting false claims.

Many Metro Detroit residents are receiving calls from people pretending to work for DTE Energy, threatening to shut off services.

Officials have charged 14 people who made fake injury claims through Aflac and said they received treatment at a Michigan clinic, according to authorities.

A Dearborn husband and wife have been charged by federal officials for declaring a false bankruptcy, wrongly receiving food stamps and evading taxes, authorities said.

We're sharing important information about how thieves are trying to trick you as you work to file your taxes right now.

The body of a former supervisor of the Wayne County Airport Authority has been found by officials after he failed to surrender for a 10-year prison sentence in connection with a bribery scheme.

Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) Director Julia Dale took over the position in October 2021.

Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) Director Julia Dale took over the position in October 2021.

Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) Director Julia Dale took over the position in October 2021.

Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) Director Julia Dale took over the position in October 2021.

Each year, tax payers get conned by tax-related schemes meant to steal money and personal information from people.

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) tells us fraud is on the rise.

A Dearborn Heights man who worked at a pharmacy in Farmington Hills has been sentenced to prison for his role in a $9.8 million fraud scheme.

Documents show a group from Michigan attempted to overturn the 2020 election by sending false documents to the state, the courts and the national archives.

The Unemployment Insurance Agency said they have flagged 10,000 recent claims for fraud. Why is there such a dramatic increase this time of year?

The Detroit-Windsor border crossing is the busiest border crossing in North America.

A Detroit man pleaded guilty to stealing unemployment benefits from nine different states, and he tried and failed to do so in eight others, federal officials said.

A former treasurer for Hazel Park has been charged with using two resident property tax checks to pay for personal expenses, officials said.

A Troy investor who thought he had figured out a guaranteed way to win huge jackpots in the Michigan Lottery has been sentenced after he spent $1 million of other people’s money each week to carry out the failed scheme.

Raphael Jarrel Smiley, 32, and Beth Ann Kierczak, 37, are facing a slew of charges in connection with creating fake COVID vaccination cards and selling them to the public in two separate cases.

A Southgate nurse and a Detroit man have been charged in connection with two COVID vaccination card fraud schemes -- one involving the theft of real cards from a hospital and the other dealing in fake imported cards from China, federal officials said.

A Dearborn dentist is facing 10 counts of fraud after she lied about performing medical care for children from low-income households, officials said.

Federal officials have charged 14 people from Wayne and Macomb counties in connection with a fraud scheme to steal COVID unemployment benefits.

The founder and one-time executive chair of Nikola Corp. was freed on $100 million bail Thursday after pleading not guilty to charges alleging he lied about the electric and hydrogen-powered truck startup, duping novice investors including some financially struggling people looking for income during the pandemic.

Three residents from Metro Detroit and 19 others across the country have been charged in connection with an $11 million fraud scheme centered around COVID-19 paycheck protection loans for businesses, feds said.

Scammers will attempt to retrieve your personal Medicare number.

According to authorities, a man is posing as a DTE Energy employee and a general contractor in order to rip off the elderly.

The investigation included 30 hours of public hearing, witness testimony from nearly 90 people, more than 400 pages of testimony and subpoenaed key documents from Secretary of State and municipal governments.

Residents are encouraged to contact Berkley Public Safety if they have concerns of potential fraud.

A massive mail fraud investigation is underway after mail was stolen from nearly 1,000 people across Metro Detroit.

If you’re concerned that a call from a local health department may be a scam, write down the name and number of the person who called you, then reach out to your local health department to confirm the legitimacy of the call.

After three days of digging and investigating, some families are moving forward with a class-action lawsuit.

The Secret Service is investigating unemployment fraud across the country and returning cash to state’s impacted.

A Novi man used the identities of several prison inmates to file fraudulent pandemic unemployment claims and stole more than $300,000 in the process, federal officials said.

Two women are accused of creating aliases for themselves and becoming fake heirs to people who died so they could steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from Veterans Affairs and Michigan Treasury, officials said.

On Tuesday, the Sheriff’s Office warned community members through a social media post that three Ypsilanti Township residents had been scammed out of $2,000.

According to the Better Business Bureau, tax scams are still a problem this year. If you haven’t filed your taxes yet this season, don’t put it off any longer! The IRS discovers cases of identity theft because personal information is stolen and a fake claim for a refund is filed. “The IRS is not going to contact you and give you those high pressure tactics,” Blankenship said. “There are unfortunately people out there that they’re banking on the fact that you’re not going to look into them any further, especially if they look professional,” Blankenship said.

Unemployment fraud in the U.S. has reached dramatic levels during the pandemic: more than $63 billion has been paid out improperly through fraud or errors since March 2020. Here's what you should know about how to spot unemployment fraud, protect yourself and what to do if you are a victim. TAKE ACTIONIf you are a victim, reach out to your state unemployment office to report the fraud. Those steps will not prevent unemployment fraud from being committed, but could deter further crime. The IRS has tips for victims of unemployment fraud and filing taxes online.

DETROIT – Some Michigan residents have been receiving 1099-G forms for unemployment benefits that they never applied for or received. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency was hacked last year. She said receiving the 1099-G is just the latest update in a long struggle with the unemployment agency. The larger problem for many people is that they’re getting kicked up into a higher tax bracket, where the tax bill is still higher. READ: Task force cracking down on unemployment fraud in Michigan

Federal officials said the two filed at least 66 fraudulent Michigan unemployment insurance benefits claims, causing a loss of more than $150,000. “As I have said before, those who steal unemployment benefits steal from all of us. Court records show they had the fraudulent benefits deposited into a variety of bank accounts, including some connected to prepaid debit cards. Officials said Armstrong has filed fraudulent applications for unemployment insurance benefits on behalf of people in Michigan, California and Pennsylvania. “The UIA remains committed to working closely with all of our federal and state partners on the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force to bring unemployment fraud cases to justice.”

TROY, Mich. – A Troy investor is accused of losing $19 million of other people’s money in a scheme that involved tricking them into fake investment opportunities and spending more than $1 million per week on Michigan Lottery games. In June 2016, Gjonaj believed he had discovered a guaranteed way to win large jackpots playing the Michigan Lottery Daily 3 and Daily 4 games, according to authorities. Instead of ending the gambling scheme, Gjonaj tricked others into giving him money through the fake real estate investment deal plan, according to officials. AdBy early 2019, Gjonaj was betting more than $1 million per week on Michigan Lottery games using money fraudulently obtained from victims, according to officials. In August 2019, his scheme had unraveled and resulted in more than $19 million in losses to those victims, authorities said.

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Former Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith‘s long-held political sway quickly diminished in 2019 when Michigan State Police troopers raided his office and home for records. Nearly two years later, Smith admitted in a virtual hearing Wednesday to stealing over $74,000 from his campaign fund through two different fraud schemes, officials said. Read: Former Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith pleads guilty to obstruction of justice, faces prison timeFederal investigators claim Smith brought employees into a back stairwell inside the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office and worked to steer the investigation away from him. I accept my punishment”“Some may view Smith’s conviction as a reason to lack confidence in our elected officials or our prosecutors. Smith’s case is that kind of case.

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – Former Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith is facing a federal prison sentence after he admitted to stealing over $74,000 from his campaign fund through two different fraud schemes, officials said. Smith, 53, of Macomb Township, pleaded guilty Wednesday (Jan. 27) to one count of obstruction of justice. AdAs part of the plea, Smith admitted to stealing over $74,000 from his campaign fund through two different fraud schemes. MORE: Eric Smith accused of turning Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office into criminal enterpriseIn one scheme, Smith lied and said he was using funds to pay rent on office space for his re-election efforts, authorities said. In the second scheme, Smith wrote a check for $20,000 from the campaign fund to an assistant Macomb County prosecutor for “consulting” work, according to authorities.

That includes a Metro Detroit man who investigators said withdrew nearly $150,000 before he was arrested. The scheme spread across two states and involved fake social security numbers, addresses and driver’s license numbers. The investigator reported large cash withdrawals at bank machines across Oakland County. Federal investigators said Baker received unemployment benefits from Pennsylvania in various victims’ names on the prepaid debit cards and used those cards to make the cash withdrawals. Surveillance images from the banks where cash withdrawals were made were used to identify Baker.

WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. – A Wayne County family watched their loved one die from lung disease. They hired an autopsy company for answers, but they said they never got any answers. The Brownstone family hired Shawn Parcells’ autopsy company to determine if Wahl had died of mesothelioma. The family paid the company $3,500 but Wahl was cremated and there were no records of an autopsy. A federal indictment out of Kansas alleges that Parcells’ business, National Autopsy Company, took payments from 375 clients -- worth $1.1 million.

In the latest filing, the attorney for Wayne County, Robert Davis, called on the federal judge in Michigan’s Eastern District to sanction lawyers for six Michigan Trump supporters suing Gov. Sanctions for Michigan AG, Secretary of StateTuesday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel also said her office along with Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will likely file sanctions of their own to get attorneys such as Powell banned from state courtrooms. That attorney, Matthew DePerno, has been a frequent guest of the far-right outlet Newsmax, a recent favorite of President Trump’s. The case is still ongoing in state court. The suit alleges that by allowing a state’s executive branch to certify a presidential election instead of state legislatures, it violates the constitution.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning residents to watch out for imposter scams related to DTE Energy. DTE Energy reported that it has received complaints about calls that were made to customers by someone claiming to be a DTE Energy employee. It was an attempt to get personal information and cash. Some common scams to watch out for include IRS scams, social security scams, telephone scams, charity scams, romance scams and investment scams. Legitimate organizations won’t call, email, or text to ask you for personal information.

ANN ARBOR – The University of Michigan Division of Public Safety & Security warned Tuesday afternoon of subletting scams in Facebook groups for off-campus housing. In a Facebook post on its page, DPSS said that scammers typically create fake ads, or hijack existing ones. “If you can’t meet in person, see the rental or sign a lease before you pay, keep looking,” reads the post. There have been reports of subletting scams in off-campus housing Facebook groups. For more information and to spot signs of a scam, DPSS recommends visiting the Federal Trade Commission’s Rental Listing Scam website.

DETROIT – A Detroit investment advisor took $90,000 from two of his clients and spent the money for himself, according to officials. Lawrence Roberson, 74, of Detroit, defrauded the victims through his company, Wealth Management Group, authorities said. READ: Officials charge 14th person linked to domestic terror plot targeting Michigan Gov. WhitmerRoberson offered to “invest” money for two of his clients at a high rate of return, but spent the money through large ATM withdrawals after depositing their checks, officials said. Roberson is charged with two counts of embezzlement, two counts of securities fraud and one count of failure to file a tax return.

In the Aug. 2020 primary election more than 10,000 mail-in ballots were rejected by the Michigan Secretary fo State. An absentee voter who knowingly makes a false statement on the absentee ballot return envelope is guilty of a misdemeanor. Claim: Mail-in voting is not the same as absentee voting ⛔This claim is false. Mail-in voting and absentee voting are the exact same thing. Claim: Mail-in voting benefits Democrats ⛔Even though polls show Democratic voters are more likely to support mail-in voting, there is actually no evidence that shows it benefits either political party.

DETROIT – A couple of weeks ago, General Motors traded production capacity for $2 billion worth of Nikola stock. The fraud claim comes from the hedge fund, largely against 39-year-old Nikola founder Trevor Milton. On Sept. 8, he announced his deal with General Motors. The next day, the hedge fund made its claim, which brought the Securities and Exchange Commission into the situation. “We acknowledge Trevor Milton’s departure from Nikola and the decision of the Nikola board to move forward,” General Motors officials said in a statement.

Former Macomb County prosecutor Eric Smith is no stranger to a courtroom, but Friday he was just another defendant. United States Attorney Matthew Schneider said the FBI had been investigating Smith for more than a year. “Our state has seen a number of public officials who have sworn to uphold their oaths and then they violated that,” Schneider said. Smith was given a $10,000 unsecured bond, he can’t leave the state without approval and has to surrender his CPL. He faces up to 21 months in custody and a $250,000 dollar fine.

Former Macomb County prosecutor Eric Smith faced a federal judge Friday in connection to an alleged embezzlement scheme. Smith said he had told three people -- two assistant prosecutors and a friend -- to lie about he use of campaign funds. Smith faces up to 20 years in prison, but will likely serve less than two years on the federal charge. He is also facing charges of embezzlement and racketeering for his spending of $600,000 from an obscure Macomb County forfeiture fund. Of that $20,000, Smith gave the consultant $5,000 and kept the remaining $15,000, which he used for his own personal use.

A Metro Detroit woman was scammed out of $30,000 in the same week she lost her husband. Shortly after her husband died, she received an email from what she thought was Best Buys Geek Squad. The person on the other end said hed refund her $300 and asked if her computer was running slow. I just thought, OK,, hes gonna look at my computer, Ihlenfeldt said. If you dont know whats going on, or if you feel unsure, most of all, tell your bank, Ihlenfeldt said.

A Novi man was arrested and charged in a wire fraud scheme involving $3.1 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office Eastern District of Michigan, 44-year-old Antonio George is charged in a criminal complaint with one count of wire fraud. The PPP loan is guaranteed by Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES Act). Small businesses across Michigan have received loans from the Paycheck Protection Program, and these loans have kept these businesses alive, said U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider in the release. Every dollar stolen from the program is a dollar stolen from struggling businesses in need.

PORT HURON, Mich. – Four Detroit men were arrested in Port Huron after police say they were involved in a fraudulent check scam at a title company. Port Huron police responded to a complaint on Aug. 17 at the Transnation Title Agency on Huron Avenue. Police believe they were also involved in a similar scam at a title company in Fort Gratiot and other locations throughout Michigan. All four men were charged and arraigned Wednesday with conducting a criminal enterprise and conspiracy to commit a criminal enterprise. Read: How you can avoid becoming a victim of a fake check scam -- be wary of jobs for personal assistants, mystery shoppers

Two people, including an employee of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency, have been charged for their alleged role in a $1.8 million unemployment insurance fraud scheme. His duties included reviewing, processing and verifying the legitimacy of unemployment insurance claims. Beginning in May, 2020, it is alleged that Rose used his insider access to release payment on hundreds of fraudulent claims. Rose attempted to override another $761,000 in fraudulent unemployment claims, but the State was able to prevent payment on those additional claims. The investigation is being conducted jointly by the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, the United States Secret Service, and the Unemployment Insurance Agency, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

DETROIT – The former owner of a Michigan payroll tax service firm is accused of stealing thousands of dollars to cover expenses for his other businesses and to fund remodeling and construction costs for his wife’s business. Thrush was the owner and operator of 402 N. Mission St. LLC (Mission Street), based in Mount Pleasant, Mich. The company provided payroll tax services to employers and is accused of withholding taxes and forwarding the funds due to the IRS. The indictment alleges that from 2014 through 2016, Thrush withheld payroll taxes from Mission Street employees’ paychecks, but only paid a portion of the funds due to the IRS. It is also alleged that from 2013 through 2016, Thrush did not file personal tax returns reporting the income he earned from his businesses.

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. A Southfield man is charged for his role in a multi-state unemployment insurance fraud scheme, according to the U.S. Attorney Office Eastern District of Michigan. A press release stated that Baker filed several fraudulent applications for unemployment insurance benefits in Pennsylvania using different names, resulting in $150,000 in fraudulent benefits. A criminal complaint stated Baker allegedly requested to have money to be deposited on debit cards and mail them to various addresses in Michigan. In addition, Baker allegedly filed multiple fraudulent unemployment claims in Michigan in May, using fake social security numbers and drivers licenses. Anyone who steals unemployment funds steals from the people of Michigan, said U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider.

According to a federal criminal complaint, 55-year-old John Christopher Colletti donned prosthetics and in some cases full face masks and used props to appear like an elderly man as he ripped off casinos.

DETROIT – A Detroit woman has been charged for her alleged role in a multi-million dollar unemployment insurance fraud scheme, according to officials. View more Detroit crime reports hereBrandi Hawkins, 39, was a contract employee for the State of Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency. She was involved in the reviewing, processing and verifying the legitimacy of unemployment insurance claims. More than $2,000,000 of federal and state funds intended for unemployment assistance during the pandemic were fraudulently released. READ: Michigan investigating if new hires are stealing from Unemployment Insurance AgencyMore than $200,000 in cash was found at her residence by police.

DETROIT – Scammers are targeting thousands of Michigan residents trying to get their unemployment benefits, making an already frustrating process even harder. Officials said scammers are somehow getting their hands on a list of people who have filed for benefits. They’re using that list to target residents who have already been hit hard by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Filing for unemployment has been a well-documented struggle for thousands of Michiganders. Help Me Hank has learned scammers are targeting those who have accounts locked and asking them to verify information over the phone.

DETROIT – Police are asking for the public’s assistance to identify and locate a suspect wanted in connection with an incident of retail fraud that occurred in Detroit on June 10. She fled the scene in a tan 2010-2015 Chevrolet Malibu (pictured below), officials said. Detroit police are seeking help to identify and locate a woman (pictured) who fled the scene of a retail fraud incident on June 10, 2020 in a tan 2010-2015 Chevrolet Malibu (pictured) on the city's east side. (Detroit Police Department)Police describe the woman as standing about 5 feet, 7-9 inches tall with a medium build and dark complexion. Anyone with information is asked to call Detroit Police Department’s Seventh Precinct at 313-596-5740 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak Up.

Here’s what scammers are doing to target Michiganders filing for unemploymentPublished: June 19, 2020, 5:46 pmScammers are targeting thousands of Michigan residents trying to get their unemployment benefits, making an already frustrating process even harder.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s multi-departmental Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force of state and federal agencies is collaborating to investigate and prosecute unemployment fraud and bring criminals to justice. Unemployment Identity Theft ProtectionThe UIA has resources to help protect Michiganders against unemployment identity theft. More tips on how to prevent unemployment identity theft and what to do if you are a victim are available online. National Unemployment FraudCriminal unemployment activity in Michigan, is a small part of an attack on unemployment systems nationwide. Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task ForceNessel announced the Task Force last week to bring special focus and additional resources to bear in investigating and prosecuting fraud in the unemployment insurance program.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel created a new task force to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of fraud in the unemployment insurance program amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The task force plans to use IP addresses and financial records to identify and prosecute the fraudsters. Officials say this year’s surge in unemployment claims from Michigan families due to the COVID-19 crisis and the urgency to process the claims created opportunities for fraudsters to exploit the system. MORE: Scammers causing even more delays for Michigan unemployment systemThe task force will be led by Nessel, the U.S. Department of Labor, Michigan State Police (MSP) and the Michigan departments of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Management & Budget and Treasury. “Our message to those who wish to fraudulently benefit from the COVID-19 crisis is that we’re watching and you will be caught.”Individuals can report fraud in the unemployment insurance program online here.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging a Michigan businessman with tax evasion, filing false documents with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), making false statements to IRS Criminal Investigation agents, and mortgage fraud. Chappelle is also accused of evading a payment of more than $830,000 in unpaid taxes by making false statements to the IRS about his and his companies’ assets. He’s also charged with making false statements to IRS-CI agents during its criminal investigation. He’s also charged with filing a tax return for Terra Holdings on which he falsely claimed the company had no employees. The indictment also charges that Chappelle made false statements and submitted fraudulent documents to a bank when refinancing his lake house mortgage.

Two people have been arraigned on charges in connection with the defrauding of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Michigan Department of Treasury out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. They are accused of submitting fraudulent documents in support of claims for VA survivor benefits and Michigan Unclaimed Property. A third person has been charged, but has not been arraigned yet. Committing fraud against our state or federal agencies that directly give back to their communities will not be tolerated, Nessel said. The third person has been charged with conducting a criminal enterprise and multiple counts of false pretenses.

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. Police said a man used a stolen credit card to make purchases at three Oakland County stores on the first day of retail reopening in Metro Detroit. The man used the credit card to buy $484 worth of items at two stores in Waterford Township and a third store in White Lake, according to authorities. Tuesday was the first day of retail reopening in Metro Detroit after being shut down due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Officials said the credit card had been stolen from the center console of an unlocked car. Anyone with information is asked to call Waterford police at 248-618-6077 or the anonymous tip line at 248-674-COPS.

The release of federal prisoners due to COVID-19 is a controversial topic. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

Federal prisoners are asking for early release and some local high-profile prisoners want out. Fata pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 45 years, but because of coronavirus, he wants to be released early. Thats what happened to many of Fatas victims.Parkin wants Fata to serve every single day of his 45-year sentence. He took an oath, broke the oath, he has no remorse, Parkin said. Parkin hopes the court remembers the 533 patients like her husband who were overtreated and or misdiagnosed when they think of granting Fata early release.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday that two men from Rhode Island have been charged with fraudulently seeking SBA Paycheck Protection Loans amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Two businessmen -- David A. Staveley, aka Kurt D. Sanborn, 52, and David Butziger, 51 -- from Warwick, Rhode Island have been charged for conspiring to unlawfully obtain forgivable loans under the CARES Act for non-existent businesses. The charges follow after Staveley allegedly requested more than $438,500 in loans for dozens of employees at three restaurants in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, officials said. “Tens of millions of Americans have lost their jobs and have had their lives thrown into chaos because of the coronavirus pandemic. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Chief Lawrence Atkinson of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker for the District of Rhode Island.

DETROIT – Michigan State Police are investigating potential fraud in connection with breathalyzer testing. Police suspect fraud may have been committed by contract employees of the Datamaster vendor and Intoximeters. On Friday, police alerted police and prosecutors that it has issued a stop order on the current vendor’s contract because of performance-related issues. Intoximeters employs three contract employees who were responsible for servicing all the Datamaster DMT instruments in Michigan. Police believe discrepancies have been identified involving the breathalyzers in the following locations:Alpena County Sheriff’s DepartmentBeverly Hills Police DepartmentDetroit Detention CenterMontcalm County Sheriff’s DepartmentNiles Police DepartmentPittsfield Township Police DepartmentTecumseh Police DepartmentVan Buren County Sheriff’s DepartmentProsecutors in those counties have been altered and will determine if there will be any impact on drunken driving cases.

Officials are accusing 10 people in a massive $46 million scheme to submit co-pay claims for medications that were never prescribed at 26 pharmacies in 15 different cities across Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.

Local businessman Joseph DuMouchelle was charged with wire fraud in federal court last week. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.