Sentencing delayed in investment scam
By Laura MeadArticle Photos
MANISTIQUE - The sentencing of a Manistique man who pled guilty to stealing more than $300,000 of investors' money, was postponed Thursday. The defendant failed to present financial records needed prior to a hearing on restitution.
According to Schoolcraft County Prosectuting Attorney Pete Hollenbeck, the defendant, Jason Collins, was to present financial records and proof of his financial status prior to the court hearing on restitution but, he failed to procure said documents. The hearing and his sentencing have been adjourned until Dec. 10.
On Oct. 5, Collins, 31, pleaded guilty in Schoolcraft County Circuit Court to five counts of larceny by conversion after stealing more than $300,000 from investors between 2002 and 2006.
The counts included two counts of larceny by conversion of over $20,000 each taken from C. David Dimmer and Mary Gordon, both of Newberry; two counts of larceny by conversion
of over $1,000 each, involving money taken from William Dimmer, Newberry, and David Wilson, Curtis; and one count of larceny by conversion of over $20,000 taken from C. Keith Fuqua, Ohio.
Collins had represented himself as the operator of a private investment club which would invest the victims' money for profit.
He stole $335,750 from the investors, using it to pay off a debt and make large purchases including property and a house.
