Mark A. Totten United States Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Mark Totten, announced the sentencing of Gregory Hite and Bridget Bureau to federal prison for defrauding nearly 40 victims of over $3 million. The couple from Lake, Michigan, was involved in a long-running fraud and identity theft scheme. U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney sentenced Hite to 150 months in prison and Bureau to 51 months. They were also ordered to pay $1,952,186 in restitution.
"Protecting victims from financial crimes is part of keeping our communities safe," said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. "Hite and Bureau deceived unsuspecting victims out of millions of dollars for their personal gain."
The couple pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud and using others' identities unlawfully to obtain financing for their businesses. These businesses operated under names such as Hites RV, Alpine Trailer Sales, Great Lakes Recreational, Great Lakes Trailer, GLR Transport, and Great Lakes Trailer Manufacturing.
Between 2016 and 2020, they assumed credit-worthy individuals' identities to secure $5,443,982 in loans for their business ventures. They made false statements on financing documents and impersonated victims on calls with other victims. Their scheme collapsed when they ran out of money and lenders sought repayment from identity theft victims.
"The sentencing...highlights the FBI’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding vulnerable victims," said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation.
