CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Fairmont man was sentenced to 33 months in prison for mail fraud, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.
Maintaining a facade of innocence, Michael Sine, age 34, pled guilty to one count of "Mail Fraud" in June 2017. Sine admitted to participating in a staged vehicle accident, faking injuries from said accident, and filing false insurance claims resulting in a $41,000 settlement.
The crime happened between May 2013 and October 2013 in Marion County, West Virginia. Sine’s scheme was designed to deceive insurance companies and reap financial benefits from a staged accident.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia Insurance Commission Office of Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated.
Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided over the case, ultimately handing down a sentence of 33 months in prison.
Sine was also ordered to pay $74,653.42 in restitution, a sum that reflects the full extent of the financial damage caused by his actions.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of committing mail fraud, a crime that undermines trust in the financial system and hurts innocent parties. The sentencing of Michael Sine serves as a warning to those who would engage in similar schemes.
Related Federal Cases
- Jeffrey Phares, Cemetery Fraud, West Virginia, 2023 · Virginia
- Gabriele Wohl Deploys Election Fraud Task Force, West Virginia, 2016 · Virginia
- Bradley Temple, Unlawful Money Transactions, West Virginia, 2023 · Virginia
- Nitesh Ratnakar, Tax Evasion, West Virginia, 2023 · Virginia
- Jeffery Hall Sentenced to 2 Years for Mail Fraud, Orlando FL, 2023 · Virginia
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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