Saline Man Pleads Guilty to Identity Theft and Wire Fraud
A former Saline man has pleaded guilty to identity theft and wire fraud, bringing an end to a scheme that targeted 77 elderly residents of Northern Ohio.
Bradley Raymond Laboe, 54, of Onsted, Michigan, and previously of Saline, Michigan, entered the guilty pleas before U.S. District Judge Victoria A. Roberts. Laboe used the personal information of the victims to file 85 fraudulent tax returns with the IRS from his residence in Saline, Michigan.
The scheme, which was investigated by Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, claimed earnings from forms W-2 and various Schedule A deductions and sought refunds of over a half million dollars. However, a majority of the victims were actually retired and receiving Social Security benefits.
Laboe opened several bank accounts and directed the fraudulent refunds to be electronically deposited into these accounts. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 15 at 2:30 p.m.
The maximum penalty for the wire fraud charge is 20 years imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000 and the maximum penalty for the identity theft violation is 15 years imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine.
“IRS Criminal Investigation has made investigating refund fraud and identity theft a top priority,” said Special Agent in Charge Jarod J. Koopman. “Filing fraudulent tax returns in the names of other individuals not only results in a severe harm to those victims whose identities were stolen, but creates a significant monetary loss to the U.S. Treasury.”
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ross MacKenzie, who commended the efforts of the IRS-CI for their dedication to investigating and preventing refund fraud.
Related Federal Cases
- Mark Wittenmyer and Four Others Hit With 52-Count Fraud Indictment · Michigan
- Joey Westbrook Sentenced in $3.1M Credit Card Fraud Scheme · Michigan
- Keith and Huddleston Indicted for Credit Card Fraud Ring · Michigan
- Mobile Shopping Fraud Ring Busted in $1M Scheme · Michigan
- Eight Conspirators Charged in $1M Shopping Service Fraud Scheme · Michigan
Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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