Michael Wesley, Bank Fraud Scheme, Florida 2016

Bank Fraud Scheme Rocks North Port, Florida

A brazen bank fraud scheme has been brought to justice in North Port, Florida, as Michael Wesley, 49, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for his role in the scheme. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich in the Tampa division of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Wesley pleaded guilty to his crimes on December 12, 2016, and will also be ordered to pay restitution to the banks involved in the scheme. The scheme, which involved Wesley using stolen checks to obtain cash from federally insured financial institutions, was a brazen attempt to line his own pockets at the expense of innocent victims.

According to court documents, Wesley would obtain checks that had been stolen from United States Postal Service mailboxes. He would then use the personal information printed on those stolen checks to cash worthless checks made payable to the victim but that had been written on closed accounts from other banking institutions.

The scheme was uncovered through a joint investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Sheriff’s Offices in Manatee, Hillsborough, Seminole, and Lee Counties, and the Florida Highway Patrol. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay L. Hoffer.

The brazen nature of the scheme is a stark reminder of the lengths to which some individuals will go to commit crimes and get away with it. Fortunately, the authorities were able to bring Wesley to justice and hold him accountable for his actions.

As a result of the scheme, numerous individuals and businesses were victimized, and it is only right that Wesley is held accountable for his role in the scheme. The sentence handed down by Judge Kovachevich is a just one, and it serves as a warning to others who would seek to engage in similar crimes.

Wesley’s sentence is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation and prosecution of this case. Their tireless efforts have brought a measure of justice to the victims of this scheme, and they deserve our gratitude and respect.

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