By Rob Wolchek, Fox 2 News Investigative Reporter -
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, June 12 2013 10:33 PM EDT2013-06-13 02:33:35 GMT
You have heard judges call for a short recess. Problem Solver Rob Wolchek found a judge whose recesses are anything but short. The Oakland County judge should have been on the bench. Instead, he was busted on the job.
You have heard judges call for a short recess. Problem Solver Rob Wolchek found a judge whose recesses are anything but short. The Oakland County judge should have been on the bench. Instead, he was busted on the job.
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.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:52 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:52:57 GMT
Federal authorities say they've raided 7-Eleven stores across Long Island and in Virginia as part of a probe into human smuggling, identity theft and money laundering.
Federal authorities say they've raided 7-Eleven stores across Long Island and in Virginia as part of a probe into human smuggling, identity theft and money laundering.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:30 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:30:40 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
A train derailed in one of the East River tunnels Monday afternoon, disrupting service on the Long Island Rail Road. Westbound service between Jamaica and Penn Station is temporarily suspended.
A train derailed in one of the East River tunnels Monday afternoon, disrupting service on the Long Island Rail Road. Westbound service between Jamaica and Penn Station is temporarily suspended.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:50 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:50:24 GMT
More than two dozen family members packed a court room to support the daughter who never gave up on finding her father's killer.
More than two dozen family members packed a court room to support the daughter who never gave up on finding her father's killer. For the first time, Joselyn Martinez came face to face with the man she believes took her dad away from her when she was just a little girl.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:26:45 GMT
A man aboard a United Airlines flight bound for Newark Liberty International Airport claimed his fellow passengers on the plane had been poisoned and was screaming about going to die.
A man aboard a United Airlines flight bound for Newark Liberty International Airport claimed his fellow passengers on the plane had been poisoned and was screaming about going to die.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:03 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:03:08 GMT
Mayor Michael Bloomberg has tried to limit the size of soda consumption, ban smoking in parks, encourage bike riding and now there"s another possible plan on the table: mandate recycling of food waste.
West Side resident Matt Murphy has stored a pail of leftovers on his floor for the last two months. His building is part of the city's food-recycling pilot program. Mayor Bloomberg wants to expand the program citywide.
The body of one of three New Yorkers killed in an attack in Afghanistan is scheduled to arrive in his upstate hometown while the funeral of a second victim is being held in the Hudson Valley.
The body of one of three New Yorkers killed in an attack in Afghanistan has arrived in his upstate hometown as the funeral of a second victim was being held in the Hudson Valley.
Monday, June 17 2013 2:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 18:56:27 GMT
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and a shore community will receive more than $53 million in federal reimbursement for the cost of removing debris from waterways after Superstorm Sandy.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and a shore community will receive more than $53 million in federal reimbursement for the cost of removing debris from waterways after Superstorm Sandy.
New Jersey lawmakers are poised to take up a bill that would allow those who are in the country illegally to qualify for in-state tuition rates at state colleges and universities.
New Jersey lawmakers are poised to take up a bill that would allow those who are in the country illegally to qualify for in-state tuition rates at state colleges and universities.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
Monday, June 17 2013 11:31 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:31:06 GMT
Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr is working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
As Kevyn Orr tries to solve Detroit's financial crisis, he is also working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:43:12 GMT
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:36:35 GMT
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:45:07 GMT
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:55:56 GMT
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
Monday, June 17 2013 4:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 20:56:42 GMT
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
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, June 12 2013 10:33 PM EDT2013-06-13 02:33:35 GMT
You have heard judges call for a short recess. Problem Solver Rob Wolchek found a judge whose recesses are anything but short. The Oakland County judge should have been on the bench. Instead, he was busted on the job.
You have heard judges call for a short recess. Problem Solver Rob Wolchek found a judge whose recesses are anything but short. The Oakland County judge should have been on the bench. Instead, he was busted on the job.
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...
