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Date: 05-23-2024
Case Style:
United States of America v. Christian Ogunghide
Case Number: 2:22-cr-20323-GAD-DRG
Judge: Gershwin A. Drain
Court: The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office for Detroit
Defendant's Attorney: Kimberly W. Stout
Description: Detroit, Michigan criminal defense lawyer Kimberly W. Stout represented the Defendant charged with Laundering Fraudulently Obtained Money
Georgia Man Sentenced to Two Years for Laundering Fraudulently Obtained Money
In 2016-2017, through various bank accounts, Christian Ogunghide, 48, engaged in numerous financial transactions, each transaction well over $10,000, involving over $1 million in the proceeds of wire fraud, that is, funds obtained by others through business email compromise fraud schemes and romance fraud schemes. When Ogunghide engaged in these monetary transactions, he knew that the transactions involved criminally derived property. He allowed fraudsters to use bank accounts he controlled to receive monies fraudulently taken from both individuals and businesses. He then disseminated the funds, effectively eliminating any chance the victims had to get their money back. He played a vital role in enabling the fraudsters to complete their fraud. And Ogunghide benefited immensely, including by the use of nearly $300,000 in fraudulent funds to buy himself a home that he lived in for years.
The Court ordered Ogunghide to pay $1,207,155.66 in restitution to the victims in this case. The Court also ordered the forfeiture of a Georgia home purchased with funds traceable to the fraud scheme, and entered a forfeiture money judgment of $1,206, 155.66.
United States Attorney Ison stated: “Those who enable the victimization of others need to be held accountable. As a money launderer, Ogunghide repeatedly helped to facilitate fraud. We are committed to prosecuting those who choose to enrich themselves by enabling others to commit crimes.”
"Mr. Ogunghide illicitly laundered over a million dollars obtained through fraud from victims, encompassing individuals and businesses across multiple states," said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. "Combatting white-collar crime stands as a foremost priority for the FBI, and with the assistance of our law enforcement allies, we will persist in uncovering and dismantling financial schemes."
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Patrick E. Corbett and Adriana Dydell. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Outcome:
Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to two years in federal prison
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: