Reno Consulting Firm Boss Sentenced for Fraudulent Grant Theft

RENO, Nev. – In a grim turn of events for Michael Stickler, 54, the founder and operator of Reno’s Faith Based Solutions, he was sentenced to 2½ years in federal prison on Monday, Feb. 9, 2015, by U.S. District Judge Miranda M. Du. Stickler will also serve three years of supervised release, complete 100 hours of community service, and pay $200,000 in restitution to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and $100,899 to the IRS.

U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden for the District of Nevada announced Stickler’s conviction on theft of federal grant money and failing to pay employment taxes, amounting to a substantial loss to both government programs and taxpayers.

Bogden sternly warned, ‘Government programs are often the victims of scams and fraud. If you steal from a federal program, you risk being investigated, prosecuted, and sent to prison.’

Stickler’s company, Faith Based Solutions, received $500,000 in federal grant money in 2007 to train non-profit organizations on securing government grants. But instead of distributing the funds as required, Stickler siphoned off all the funds within seven months. The money was used to pay his own and family salaries, fund lavish vacations, and purchase unauthorized items.

Moreover, Stickler collected taxes from his employees but failed to remit them to the IRS, demonstrating a brazen disregard for tax obligations. His conviction on one tax charge and theft charge by a jury resulted in his release on a personal recognizance bond until he reports to federal prison by May 11, 2015.

Investigation into Stickler’s deceitful activities was led by the IRS Criminal Investigation division and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carla B. Higginbotham prosecuted the case.