This browser does not support the Video element.
Two Detroiters accused of taking $12M in fraud scheme
The allegations are being called egregious because as of Thursday, FOX 2 asked the DOJ whether the two suspects were working together, but these are actually two separate cases of fraud.
DETROIT (FOX 2) - Two Detroiters were accused of masterminding massive student aid scams totaling millions. The Department of Justice says the scams were run for years.
Big picture view:
The allegations are being called egregious because, as of Thursday, FOX 2 asked the DOJ whether the two suspects were working together, but these are actually two separate cases of fraud.
One is accused of enrolling students at Wayne County Community College over several years.
According to prosecutors, those students were fake.
2 Detroiters accused of stealing millions in Federal Student Aid in separate schemes
Two Detroiters are now facing charges after they allegedly operated schemes to steal millions of dollars in money in Federal Student Aid (FSA).
What they're saying:
Prosecutors say Brandon Robinson spent nearly a decade creating "straw students" at more than 100 schools in 24 states, allegedly pulling in over $16 million in federal aid and another $1 million in unemployment benefits.
In a separate case, Michelle Hill allegedly enrolled dozens of fake students, mostly at Wayne County Community College, and even in some cases did their online coursework herself. Investigators say she secured more than $3 million in aid, with about $2.5 million actually paid out.
"It’s already hard to get money out here, when you put all money taken away it’s crazy," said Moore.
Both now face federal wire fraud charges.
These are allegations, and each will have their day in court.