Bellevue Man Sentenced for Mail Fraud

United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation announce the following information for the attention of the media:

Event Triggering this Release:

On March 18, 2010, Matthew H. Anselmo, age 38, of Bellevue, was sentenced by Chief United States District Court Judge Joseph F. Bataillon to a 48-month prison term following Anselmo’s conviction for mail fraud. In addition to the prison term, Anselmo was ordered to serve three years of supervised release and ordered to pay 3.7 million dollars in restitution to victims of his fraudulent scheme.

During the period of January 1, 2006 through 2008, the Defendant, a former police officer with the Papillion Police Department and one-time “Officer of the Year” with that department, devised and executed a Ponzi-like scheme to defraud various family members, friends and business acquaintances out of substantial amounts of money totaling approximately $4,000,000. The essence of the scheme was the use of material false and misleading statements and omissions of material fact in the solicitation of investment/loan funds from the above mentioned individuals, purportedly for the purpose of funding apparel purchases for existing apparel contracts and orders and falsely promising a 20 to, in some cases, 100 percent return on their investment/loan, typically within 30-90 days. The funds, unbeknownst to the investor/victims, were instead actually used, among other things, to pay off previous investors, pay off other existing business debts and underwrite various gambling activity both in Las Vegas and in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to the tune of a loss of approximately $400,000, and to purchase a personal residence and automobiles for cash. Most of the victims lost all of their money that was invested with Anselmo.

Name of Defendant: Matthew H. Anselmo
AKA:
Age: 38
City of residence: Bellevue
Crime(s) Charged and Potential Penalty (A CHARGE is merely an accusation and every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty): Mail fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341. Penalty of up to 20 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, or both imprisonment and fine, not less than five years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
Specific Location of Alleged Crime: Bellevue
Location of Arrest:
Alleged Dollar Loss/Type and Quantity of Drug:
Others Charged in Same Scheme: N/A

Relevant Dates:
Date of Alleged Crime: January 01, 2006, to on or about August, 2008
Federal Arrest Date:
Date Complaint Issued:
Indictment Returned Date: May 21, 2009
Initial Appearance Date: May 27, 2009
Plea or Trial and Date(s): September 22, 2009
Sentencing Date: March 18, 2010
Next Court Hearing Type and Date:

Assigned Magistrate Judge: F. A. Gossett
Held without Bond, or Released from Custody:
In Continuous Custody Since:
Assigned District Court Judge: Joseph F. Bataillon
Initials of Assigned AUSA/Preparer of THIS Release: RXM