Georgia Man Pleads Guilty In Connection To A Fraud Scheme

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
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BUFFALO, N.Y. - Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Wilfredo Sanio, 52, of Georgia, pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie P. Grisanti, who is handling the case, stated that between May 2010 and May 2012, the defendant concealed the fraudulent activities of co-defendants Ann Nichols and Donnie Heilig. Heilig and Nichols, both of whom resided in the state of Oklahoma, utilized a business entity known as CED Computer Services (CED)  fraudulently to obtain loans for clients in the form of equipment “leases.” Wilfredo Sanio operated a business in Georgia known as SCF Funding, which acted as a broker and brought clients to CED Computer Services. 

Sanio knew that Heilig and Nichols falsely advised lease finance companies that CED was selling new equipment to clients and prepared fraudulent invoices for new equipment when, in fact, no equipment or inferior equipment was actually being provided.  Upon receipt of the funding from the finance companies, defendant Nichols gave a commission to Heilig, herself, and Sanio, from the lease proceeds and sent the majority of the remaining proceeds to the client.

Ann Nichols and Donnie Heilig have been convicted of wire fraud and are awaiting sentencing. 

Today’s plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Adam S. Cohen.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 13, 2017, at 12:00 p.m. before Judge Arcara.