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Press Release

Tulsa Man Pleads Guilty to Bankruptcy Fraud

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Oklahoma

A Tulsa resident pleaded guilty today to making a false statement in a bankruptcy proceeding, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney R. Trent Shores. 

According to the information and written plea agreement filed in the case, Michael J. Fletcher, of Tulsa, filed a bankruptcy petition in August of 2011 in which he stated that he had no legal or equitable interest in any real property.  In November 2011, the Department of Justice filed a complaint objecting to the discharge of Fletcher’s federal income tax debts on the grounds that Fletcher had concealed his interest in real property located on 110th Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  During the trial in that matter in October 2014, Fletcher testified that his parents owned the house on 110th Street and that the down payment for the purchase was funded by a loan from his daughters to his father.  In pleading guilty Fletcher admitted that he was the source of the funds used for the down payment, and that he lied during his bankruptcy court testimony when he denied this fact

“By effectively combating white collar crime and prosecuting individuals like Mr. Fletcher, we can protect the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and creditors from fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Moreover, I hope this prosecution signals a warning to others who would seek to commit fraud. I know that deterrence requires enforcement. That’s why we will continue to uphold our oath and enforce the laws of the United States. From white collar criminals to violent criminals, they can expect us to diligently pursue justice.”

United States District Court Judge John Dowdell scheduled Fletcher’s sentencing for December 23, 2019. 

The case was investigated by special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation. Assistant Chief Andrew Kameros of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor Régal are prosecuting the case.

Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website

Contact

Public Affairs
918-382-2755

Updated September 24, 2019

Topic
Tax