Peter McDonald

As Agent Krieg chewed it over in the office, Agent Sless came in.

They didn't know if this was a federal crime or a state crime, or if it was a crime at all, but it seemed like it should be. And if you're curious about the timeline of this meeting, it happened about a week before the Mathienes got to Detroit. Agent Krieg called the U.S. Attorney's Office and asked to talk with Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Woodward.

They didn't know if this was a federal crime or a state crime, or if it was a crime at all, but it seemed like it should be. And if you're curious about the timeline of this meeting, it happened about a week before the Mathienes got to Detroit. Agent Krieg called the U.S. Attorney's Office and asked to talk with Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Woodward.

They didn't know if this was a federal crime or a state crime, or if it was a crime at all, but it seemed like it should be. And if you're curious about the timeline of this meeting, it happened about a week before the Mathienes got to Detroit. Agent Krieg called the U.S. Attorney's Office and asked to talk with Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Woodward.

Wire fraud. You've probably heard of it, but might not know what it means. It's the use of physical or electronic communication systems, like email or text, to commit fraud. The name is kind of outdated. It dates back to when we used wired telephones. Wire fraud is a federal offense, which is why the FBI got involved.

Wire fraud. You've probably heard of it, but might not know what it means. It's the use of physical or electronic communication systems, like email or text, to commit fraud. The name is kind of outdated. It dates back to when we used wired telephones. Wire fraud is a federal offense, which is why the FBI got involved.

Wire fraud. You've probably heard of it, but might not know what it means. It's the use of physical or electronic communication systems, like email or text, to commit fraud. The name is kind of outdated. It dates back to when we used wired telephones. Wire fraud is a federal offense, which is why the FBI got involved.

Sarah Woodward and Agent Matt Sluss would need to show that Tara Lee used her cell phone or email to defraud people. AUSA's Sarah Woodward was sitting at her L-shaped desk on a high floor of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Detroit when we talked. She was surrounded by case files.

Sarah Woodward and Agent Matt Sluss would need to show that Tara Lee used her cell phone or email to defraud people. AUSA's Sarah Woodward was sitting at her L-shaped desk on a high floor of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Detroit when we talked. She was surrounded by case files.

Sarah Woodward and Agent Matt Sluss would need to show that Tara Lee used her cell phone or email to defraud people. AUSA's Sarah Woodward was sitting at her L-shaped desk on a high floor of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Detroit when we talked. She was surrounded by case files.

Woodward told me that this case was so novel that she had to come up with new terminology just to describe the alleged fraud. terms like fabricated match and double match. That first week on the case, agents Sluss and Krieg interviewed about a dozen people connected with Tara Lee's adoption business.

Woodward told me that this case was so novel that she had to come up with new terminology just to describe the alleged fraud. terms like fabricated match and double match. That first week on the case, agents Sluss and Krieg interviewed about a dozen people connected with Tara Lee's adoption business.

Woodward told me that this case was so novel that she had to come up with new terminology just to describe the alleged fraud. terms like fabricated match and double match. That first week on the case, agents Sluss and Krieg interviewed about a dozen people connected with Tara Lee's adoption business.

These people were the tip of the iceberg because each interview introduced the FBI to new names and allegations. The scope of the case beneath the surface was way bigger than they initially thought. By Friday, Matt Sluss felt compelled to visually piece it together.

These people were the tip of the iceberg because each interview introduced the FBI to new names and allegations. The scope of the case beneath the surface was way bigger than they initially thought. By Friday, Matt Sluss felt compelled to visually piece it together.

These people were the tip of the iceberg because each interview introduced the FBI to new names and allegations. The scope of the case beneath the surface was way bigger than they initially thought. By Friday, Matt Sluss felt compelled to visually piece it together.

Courtney and Curtis Edmond, two failed matches. Tammy and Nick Granath, one failed match, one fabricated match, one success. On October 26th, Agent Sluss added, Mike and Teresa Matheny, success. 20 blocks away, Mike hung up with Matt Sluss and found Teresa in the hospital and told her what had just happened. He now had no doubts that this investigation was real.

Courtney and Curtis Edmond, two failed matches. Tammy and Nick Granath, one failed match, one fabricated match, one success. On October 26th, Agent Sluss added, Mike and Teresa Matheny, success. 20 blocks away, Mike hung up with Matt Sluss and found Teresa in the hospital and told her what had just happened. He now had no doubts that this investigation was real.

Courtney and Curtis Edmond, two failed matches. Tammy and Nick Granath, one failed match, one fabricated match, one success. On October 26th, Agent Sluss added, Mike and Teresa Matheny, success. 20 blocks away, Mike hung up with Matt Sluss and found Teresa in the hospital and told her what had just happened. He now had no doubts that this investigation was real.

and it was time to turn the tables on Tara Lee. He and Teresa walked the echoey halls talking in hushed tones when they saw two familiar faces coming toward them. It was Stephanie and her partner.