Owner guilty of fraud for making false statements to obtain semi trucks for his business

A Wisconsin man was convicted on fraud charges for submitting false information in order to obtain semi trucks for his company.

On July 17, Eau Claire resident Robert Carter, 45, was convicted on wire fraud and attempting to commit wire fraud charges following a two-day trial in federal court in Madison, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin.

Officials say that between April 22, 2020 and January 25, 2021, Carter submitted false documents and made false statements to companies that lease and sell commercial vehicles in order to obtain trucks for his business, Carter Transportation Group.

“In support of his lease applications, Carter submitted false financial statements for his businesses and submitted a false wire transfer receipt. Carter also falsely claimed that he had a multi-million-dollar trust,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

The jury deliberated for only about an hour before handing down the guilty verdict.

Carter is scheduled for sentencing on October 17, 2024. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each of the two counts.

Investigating agencies include the IRS Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.