A federal judge sentenced gospel music producer, Michael Winans Jr., after they say he defrauded his practitioners out of millions of dollars. The law waived a heavy hand giving this poor sap nearly 14 years behind bars.
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Winans Jr. is said to have bilked folks out of over $8 million in a elaborate investment scheme.
Winans, 30, a member of the famous Winans family of gospel music performers, was convicted on wire fraud charges and sentenced Wednesday to 13 years, nine months in prison and ordered to pay $4.8 million in restitution to his victims. Ouch.
Prosecutors charged his scam targeted 1,200 investors and the resulting finantal strain it caused on families tore apart marriages, homes, college plans and basically wiped out their life savings.
U.S. District Judge Sean Cox admonished the music man for taking advantage of “good, decent, churchgoing people,” and then announced the staggeringly long sentence.
He will get released on or before 2027.