Leader of fraud scheme sentenced to 4-plus years
Michael Russell, 54, pleaded guilty in January to 20 counts of wire fraud and money laundering in a scheme involving former Indianapolis City-County Councilor Paul Bateman.
Fraud
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Scam artist receives 34 years for home-sale scheme
Shela Amos, 57, led victims in Indianapolis to believe they were legitimately purchasing vacant homes that Amos did not actually own.
Assets of attorney in fraud case have gone missing, feds say
After being charged with defrauding clients, Indianapolis attorney William Conour was ordered not to dispose of his personal property. But much of it is now missing, including art, furniture, sports memorabilia and bottles of expensive champagne, according to court filings.
Grifter gets 19 months for fraud that hit Indy firms
Despite her dramatic pleas to a federal judge on Tuesday, Dina Wein Reis, who defrauded corporations out of millions of dollars, will go to prison.
Contractor pleads guilty to fraud involving FBI building
An Ohio man has admitted to defrauding more than $225,000 from contractors involved in FBI building projects in Indianapolis and Knoxville, Tenn.
Four ex-IRS call center workers convicted of fraud
The four individuals received more than $30,000 in jobless benefits while working at an IRS call center in Indianapolis.
Indy controller gets 29 months for bilking Frakes Engineering
Brenda K. Helpling was sentenced Thursday by a federal judge who also ordered her to pay more than $410,000 in restitution to Frakes Engineering. The 52-year-old had pleaded guilty in November to mail fraud.
Sheridan businessman gets 8-year term for fraud
U.S. District Judge Mark Bennett issued the 97-month prison term to Lowell Hancher of Hamilton County. The Sheridan businessman pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of securities fraud.
Fishers man faces federal wire fraud charges
A Fishers man has been charged with wire fraud in an alleged scheme to defraud area organizations and businesses of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
White blames Brizzi for his voter fraud conviction
Former Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White said in court documents Thursday that his attorney didn't mount any defense to protect him from the conviction that forced him from office.
Jury finds Bateman co-defendant not guilty in $1.7M fraud
Manuel Gonzalez has been acquitted of three counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering in connection with a scheme that targeted an Indianapolis physician. Former City-County Councilor Paul Bateman pleaded guilty last month to participating in the scheme.
Fraud victim files civil suit against ex-councilor
An Indianapolis physician who lost $1.7 million in a fraud scheme orchestrated in part by former Democratic City-County Councilor Paul C. Bateman Jr. has sued Bateman and two associates in Marion Circuit Court. The civil lawsuit comes as a criminal trial stemming from the case begins in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
Bales trial in jury’s hands after colorful closings
During three hours of closing arguments Wednesday in the federal fraud trial of real estate broker John M. Bales and William E. Spencer, a federal prosecutor and two top-tier Indianapolis defense attorneys delivered a series of memorable one-liners and rhetorical flourishes designed to stick with jurors.
UPDATE: Defense takes turn in Marsh civil trial
Don Marsh finally got off the hot seat Wednesday afternoon after his former company wrapped up nearly two days of questioning, but he didn't stay off the witness stand for long.
FBI agent references Brizzi in Bales trial testimony
Federal prosecutors rested their fraud case against John M. Bales and partner William E. Spencer on Monday after a full day of testimony from FBI Special Agent Brian Percival that included several references to former Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi.
Marsh to call former CEO as first witness
The lead lawyer for Marsh Supermarkets Inc. expects to call Don Marsh as its first witness when the civil trial against him reconvenes Tuesday. The grocery chain alleges that the former CEO used company funds to pay more than $3 million in personal expenses.
Fraud trial for broker Bales begins in South Bend
The federal fraud trial of Indianapolis real estate broker John M. Bales and a partner began Monday morning in South Bend with a jury-selection process that may not have run as smoothly if it took place in central Indiana.
Bales’ trial could turn on definition of ownership
The jury trial in South Bend for real estate developer John Bales and his general counsel, William E. Spencer, is scheduled to begin Jan. 28 and last up to two weeks. Bales and Spencer, both 45, are facing 13 counts, including wire and mail fraud.
Ex-office manager to plead guilty to taking $2.1M
The former office manager of a central Indiana manufacturing company will plead guilty to federal charges that she embezzled $2.1 million from the business over a six-year period.
REWIND: IBJ’s top 10 business stories of 2012
The state's labor landscape changed, and the housing market improved. Indianapolis basked in the glow of a flawless Super Bowl, and big-name CEOs were shown the door. IBJ's reporters and editors recall the year's biggest stories.