Michael Tew, Wire Fraud, Colorado 2024
Denver Couple Sentenced for Wire Fraud Scheme that Defrauded National Air Cargo of $5 Million
A Denver couple has been sentenced for their roles in a wire fraud scheme that defrauded National Air Cargo, a logistics company and contractor for the Department of Defense.
Kimberly Ann Tew, 43, was sentenced to 48 months in prison, and her husband Michael Tew, 45, was sentenced to 42 months for their roles in the scheme.
The couple was found guilty of wire fraud by a federal jury in Denver on February 15, 2024.
According to the facts established at trial, Michael Tew and Kimberly Tew conspired to defraud National Air Cargo through the submission of dozens of false invoices for services and items that were never provided.
Over the course of two years, with the help of a co-conspirator, the Tews defrauded the business of $5 million.
Testimony at trial demonstrated the Tews gambled away much of the money and spent $2.4 million buying cryptocurrencies at cryptocurrency ATMs across the Denver area.
Michael Tew also failed to file federal income tax returns for tax years 2016 through 2019, on both his earned income and funds obtained from the fraud scheme.
The Tews were ordered to pay a forfeiture money judgment of over $5 million, restitution in the same amount, and fines totaling $135,000. Kimberly Tew was ordered to pay a $35,000 fine, while Michael Tew was ordered to pay a $100,000 fine.
The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and the FBI Denver Field Office.
Assistant United States Attorneys Bryan Fields and Sarah Weiss handled the prosecution.
Case Number: 20-cr-00305-DDD.
Key Facts
- State: Colorado
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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