New Bern Man Sentenced for Bankruptcy Fraud Crimes

RALEIGH, NC—United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that today in federal court, United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle sentenced Todd Allen Fulcher, 49, to six months’ imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, and an order of restitution.

Fulcher was named in an indictment filed on October 3, 2012, charging him with one count of bankruptcy fraud; four counts of concealment of assets, false oaths, and claims, bribery; and one count of destruction, alteration, or falsification of records in relation to a bankruptcy case in the Eastern District of North Carolina. On April 10, 2013, Fulcher pled guilty to one count of bankruptcy fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 157(3), and one count of destruction, alteration, or falsification of records in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1519.

According to the investigation, beginning on or about January 9, 2010, and continuing through November 2011, Fulcher devised a scheme to defraud by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses and representations as part of a bankruptcy proceeding. He knowingly made false statements on his bankruptcy schedules and statement of financial affairs; Fulcher also knowingly concealed bank account information; income information; real estate located in Trenton, North Carolina; three shotguns and two riles; and wood working hand tools with regard to his bankruptcy after filing for Chapter 13 relief under Title 11. Additionally, Fulcher fraudulently concealed personal property belonging to the estate, including a boat, firearms, and a motorcycle. Additionally, he knowingly concealed vehicles belonging to Fulcher Tire Sales & Service Inc. that belonged to the corporation’s bankruptcy estate.

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina previously had entered orders detaining Fulcher for contempt for his failure to attend creditors' meetings and to abide by the orders of the court.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney S. Katherine Burnette prosecuted the case for the government.