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Description: Detroit, Michigan criminal lawyer represented Defendant charged with wire and mail fraud.

Chaz Duane Shields, age 34, beginning at least as early as May 2020 and continuing through at least July 2021, Shields and others agreed to commit wire fraud. Specifically, Shields and his coconspirators submitted more than 240 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims to more than 20 states and territories, fraudulently obtaining more than $2,200,000 in benefits. Shields also successfully obtained a fraudulent $20,833.00 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan.

Separately, Shields admitted to defrauding the U.S. Postal Service of over $200,000 through a scheme in which he conspired to submit more than 1,000 fraudulent insurance claims, in the names of more than 40 separate individuals. Shields and others used USPS Self-Service Kiosks to mail a number of packages. For each of the packages, the conspirators subsequently filed and received a fraudulent insurance claim by attesting that the package contained an item of significant value. In reality, the packages typically contained empty plastic picture frames with little to no value.

Cortney Saquan Shields, 33, of Detroit and Daeshawn Tamar Posey, 26, of Detroit have previously pleaded guilty connected to the case. Brittany Levett Witherspoon, 26, of Warren has also been charged in connection to the investigation.

This is case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ryan A. Particka, Timothy J. Wyse, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Corinne M. Lambert. The investigation is being conducted jointly by agents from the Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Postal Service Office of the Inspector General.

ATTEMPT AND CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT FRAUD
(1-2)
ATTEMPT AND CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT FRAUD
(1s-2s)

Outcome: 08/23/2022 Minute Entry for in-person proceedings before District Judge Robert H. Cleland: Arraignment and Change of Plea Hearing as to Chaz Duane Shields held on 8/23/2022, ( Sentencing set for 1/5/2023 01:30 PM before District Judge Robert H. Cleland) Disposition: Guilty plea entered as to count 1s and 2s of the Second Superseding Information. Bond granted, 10,000 unsecured with conditions. (Court Reporter: Christin Russell) (Defendant Attorney: Jonathan Epstein for Arthur Weiss) (AUSA: Ryan Particka) (LWag) (Entered: 08/23/2022)
08/23/2022 81 ORDER Setting Conditions of Release as to Chaz Duane Shields. Signed by District Judge Robert H. Cleland. (LWag) (Entered: 08/23/2022)
08/23/2022 82 BOND as to Chaz Duane Shields in the amount of $10,000 unsecured entered. (LWag) (Entered: 08/23/2022)
08/23/2022 83 GOVERNMENT'S ORAL MOTION to Dismiss Defendant Daeshawn Posey from the Superseding Information (DEFENDANT ADDED IN ERROR) (LWag) (Entered: 08/25/2022)

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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