By Rob Wolchek, Fox 2 News Investigative Reporter - email
DETROIT -- A member of the famed Winans gospel singing family has admitted he ripped people off. Michael Winans, Junior plead guilty in federal court Wednesday to wire fraud.
When asked outside of court if he had anything to say to his more than one thousand victims, he had no comment.
I first exposed Michael Winans, Junior in 2008 when victim after victim told me he was using his famous family name to convince them to invest the way rich people did. Winans claimed he was taking their money to invest in a Saudi oil bond.
Now he has admitted he knew the bond was fake, but kept lying to his victims to steal their money.
Winans is still living the good life now in Maryland where he is once again using the Winans name to his advantage. On his website, you can see him addressing young singers and songwriters acting like a big shot trying to sell his solo singing CDs.
But Mr. Big Shot is Mr. Big Not. He's now just another convicted felon.
Michael Winans, Junior is out on a $10,000 bond. He will be back in court to be sentenced in February. He could be sent to federal prison for 20 years and will most likely have to pay some restitution to his victims. He admitted to the judge he took in $8 million running the scheme.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 5:46 PM EDT2013-05-15 21:46:32 GMT
Is it really that easy? You get someone's Social Security number and use it to get credit to buy things? Ask a woman in Southfield and she'll say "yes."
Is it really that easy? You get someone's Social Security number and use it to get credit to buy things? Ask a woman in Southfield and she'll say "yes."
Wednesday, May 8 2013 11:16 PM EDT2013-05-09 03:16:35 GMT
When it comes to garden hoses, the Pocket Hose is a real lightweight. Yet the makers claim it packs the same power as a full-size, heavy-duty rubber hose. We put it to a full-size, heavy-duty Fame or Shame test.
When it comes to garden hoses, the Pocket Hose is a real lightweight. Yet the makers claim it packs the same power as a full-size, heavy-duty rubber hose. We put it to a full-size, heavy-duty Fame or Shame test.
Monday, May 6 2013 8:40 PM EDT2013-05-07 00:40:36 GMT
Rob Wolchek first exposed Michael Winans, Junior for running a Ponzi scheme back in 2008. Now Winans is trying to get out of his 13 year prison sentence and taking donations for his legal defense fund.
A member of the famous Winans family convicted of wire fraud says "he's not a monster." Rob Wolchek first exposed Michael Winans, Junior for running a Ponzi scheme back in 2008. Now Winans is trying to get out of his 13 year prison sentence and taking donations for his legal defense fund.
Thursday, April 25 2013 10:58 PM EDT2013-04-26 02:58:44 GMT
A basketball tournament is a big deal. The kids on the teams practice. The parents change their schedules. The coaches get ready for a long weekend. Then they find out at the last minute the tournament is called off.
A basketball tournament is a big deal. The kids on the teams practice. The parents change their schedules. The coaches get ready for a long weekend. Then they find out at the last minute the tournament is called off.
Friday, April 19 2013 12:11 AM EDT2013-04-19 04:11:37 GMT
Some high school students are familiar with the "Halllllllllll of Shame' guy Rob Wolchek, but would they recognize a 'bait and switch' scam? Wolchek works to make some students wise to con artists.
Some high school students are familiar with the "Halllllllllll of Shame' guy Rob Wolchek, but would they recognize a 'bait and switch' scam? Wolchek works to make some students wise to con artists.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:28 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:28:22 GMT
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:48 AM EDT2013-05-23 15:48:50 GMT
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is dropping his longtime lawyer. Kilpatrick told a judge Thursday that his relationship with James Thomas deteriorated long before his conviction.
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is dropping his longtime lawyer. Kilpatrick told a judge Thursday that his relationship with James Thomas deteriorated long before his conviction two months ago on corruption charges.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:59 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:59:53 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:58:41 GMT
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:44:19 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Wednesday, February 13 2013 3:00 PM EST2013-02-13 20:00:27 GMT
When you're locked out, the first locksmith you call usually gets the job. Problem Solver Rob Wolchek with what one company is doing to make sure they're always first on the phone.
You're in a panic. You're locked out of your car or your house. You're not going to do a lot of shopping around. Problem Solver Rob Wolchek says one company makes sure they're always first on the phone.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 5:46 PM EDT2013-05-15 21:46:32 GMT
Is it really that easy? You get someone's Social Security number and use it to get credit to buy things? Ask a woman in Southfield and she'll say "yes."
Is it really that easy? You get someone's Social Security number and use it to get credit to buy things? Ask a woman in Southfield and she'll say "yes."
Wednesday, May 8 2013 11:16 PM EDT2013-05-09 03:16:35 GMT
When it comes to garden hoses, the Pocket Hose is a real lightweight. Yet the makers claim it packs the same power as a full-size, heavy-duty rubber hose. We put it to a full-size, heavy-duty Fame or Shame test.
When it comes to garden hoses, the Pocket Hose is a real lightweight. Yet the makers claim it packs the same power as a full-size, heavy-duty rubber hose. We put it to a full-size, heavy-duty Fame or Shame test.
Monday, May 6 2013 8:40 PM EDT2013-05-07 00:40:36 GMT
Rob Wolchek first exposed Michael Winans, Junior for running a Ponzi scheme back in 2008. Now Winans is trying to get out of his 13 year prison sentence and taking donations for his legal defense fund.
A member of the famous Winans family convicted of wire fraud says "he's not a monster." Rob Wolchek first exposed Michael Winans, Junior for running a Ponzi scheme back in 2008. Now Winans is trying to get out of his 13 year prison sentence and taking donations for his legal defense fund.
Thursday, April 25 2013 10:58 PM EDT2013-04-26 02:58:44 GMT
A basketball tournament is a big deal. The kids on the teams practice. The parents change their schedules. The coaches get ready for a long weekend. Then they find out at the last minute the tournament is called off.
A basketball tournament is a big deal. The kids on the teams practice. The parents change their schedules. The coaches get ready for a long weekend. Then they find out at the last minute the tournament is called off.
Friday, April 19 2013 12:11 AM EDT2013-04-19 04:11:37 GMT
Some high school students are familiar with the "Halllllllllll of Shame' guy Rob Wolchek, but would they recognize a 'bait and switch' scam? Wolchek works to make some students wise to con artists.
Some high school students are familiar with the "Halllllllllll of Shame' guy Rob Wolchek, but would they recognize a 'bait and switch' scam? Wolchek works to make some students wise to con artists.
Wednesday, March 27 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-03-28 02:36:36 GMT
There's been a change of pace in a nice neighborhood where one piece of property stood out for years. But is the spring cleaning enough to get the owner out of the Hall of Shame?
There's been a change of pace in a nice neighborhood where one piece of property stood out for years. But is the spring cleaning enough to get the owner out of the Hall of Shame?
Wednesday, March 20 2013 7:51 PM EDT2013-03-20 23:51:09 GMT
The feds bust a huge drug ring. They say it involved doctors who wrote bogus Medicare or Medicaid prescriptions for pain pills that ended up for sale by street gangs.
The feds bust a huge drug ring. They say it involved doctors who wrote bogus Medicare or Medicaid prescriptions for pain pills that ended up for sale by street gangs. The operation reached from the Motor City all the way to the southern border of Ohio and beyond.
Churchgoers throughout Detroit say they were offered an investment idea by their pastor, but what sold them was a pitch by Mike Winans, Junior. Now, star struck investors say a trusted member of a famous gospel singing...
Churchgoers throughout Detroit say they were offered an investment idea by their pastor, but what sold them was a pitch by Mike Winans, Junior. Now, star struck investors say a trusted member of a famous gospel singing...
Monday, March 4 2013 12:37 PM EST2013-03-04 17:37:11 GMT
This week, pop and gospel singer Michael Winans, Junior will be sentenced for running a multimillion dollar Ponzi scheme.
He used to hang out with big time celebrities, but soon Michael Winans, Junior will likely be hanging around with federal inmates. This week, the pop and gospel singer will be sentenced for running a multimillion dollar Ponzi scheme.
