Post by dalejrfan on Oct 27, 2005 0:12:18 GMT -5
Feds indict Michigan man on fraud changes in NASCAR scam
DETROIT - A Michigan businessman has been indicted on federal charges accusing him of defrauding a NASCAR racing team, several air charter companies and a credit union.
Franklin Ray, who opened Marlin Transport Inc. and MNR Productions, was named in a six-count felony indictment Friday.
He's accused of defrauding Florida businessman Anthony Morgenthau and several charter companies of at least $285,000. Morgenthau co-owns BAM Racing, sponsor of a Nextel Cup team.
Ray faces charges of bank fraud and interstate transportation of stolen property and four counts of wire fraud.
Among accusations is that Ray posed as an agent for NASCAR and several country music performers in 2002, agreeing to co-sponsor NASCAR races and to schedule music concerts for race weekends.
The grand jury indictment alleges that Ray entered agreements with various companies to charter flights, helicopter and limousine services for purported clients and received money and free travel from the companies.
Among other accusations is that Ray defrauded Morgenthau by offering to co-sponsor six races in exchange for $750,000 and that he paid for charter flights with invalid credit card numbers.
Ray also received travel costs from charter flight companies by saying he was interested in purchasing airplanes; in one instance, he posed as a potential buyer from BAM Racing.
Regarding the credit union, Ray convinced employees to cash checks with fraudulent authorization numbers, the indictment says.
DETROIT - A Michigan businessman has been indicted on federal charges accusing him of defrauding a NASCAR racing team, several air charter companies and a credit union.
Franklin Ray, who opened Marlin Transport Inc. and MNR Productions, was named in a six-count felony indictment Friday.
He's accused of defrauding Florida businessman Anthony Morgenthau and several charter companies of at least $285,000. Morgenthau co-owns BAM Racing, sponsor of a Nextel Cup team.
Ray faces charges of bank fraud and interstate transportation of stolen property and four counts of wire fraud.
Among accusations is that Ray posed as an agent for NASCAR and several country music performers in 2002, agreeing to co-sponsor NASCAR races and to schedule music concerts for race weekends.
The grand jury indictment alleges that Ray entered agreements with various companies to charter flights, helicopter and limousine services for purported clients and received money and free travel from the companies.
Among other accusations is that Ray defrauded Morgenthau by offering to co-sponsor six races in exchange for $750,000 and that he paid for charter flights with invalid credit card numbers.
Ray also received travel costs from charter flight companies by saying he was interested in purchasing airplanes; in one instance, he posed as a potential buyer from BAM Racing.
Regarding the credit union, Ray convinced employees to cash checks with fraudulent authorization numbers, the indictment says.