Peter McDonald

Sarah Woodward told me that they would have arrested her earlier, but they thought she was pregnant. But Wiggins' pregnancy was a hoax. She was indicted on three counts of wire fraud and Tara Lee on six more, bringing her total to 24 counts. Here's Sarah Woodward.

Sarah Woodward told me that they would have arrested her earlier, but they thought she was pregnant. But Wiggins' pregnancy was a hoax. She was indicted on three counts of wire fraud and Tara Lee on six more, bringing her total to 24 counts. Here's Sarah Woodward.

Sarah Woodward told me that they would have arrested her earlier, but they thought she was pregnant. But Wiggins' pregnancy was a hoax. She was indicted on three counts of wire fraud and Tara Lee on six more, bringing her total to 24 counts. Here's Sarah Woodward.

What's typical in a white collar crime case with wire fraud?

What's typical in a white collar crime case with wire fraud?

What's typical in a white collar crime case with wire fraud?

FBI agent Matt Sluss, who has a background in accounting, determined the amount of money Tara Lee made from adoptions from 2016 through 2018 was more than $2 million. Many of those adoptions were fraudulent. But Woodward felt she could prove beyond a reasonable doubt that about half a million came through wire fraud.

FBI agent Matt Sluss, who has a background in accounting, determined the amount of money Tara Lee made from adoptions from 2016 through 2018 was more than $2 million. Many of those adoptions were fraudulent. But Woodward felt she could prove beyond a reasonable doubt that about half a million came through wire fraud.

FBI agent Matt Sluss, who has a background in accounting, determined the amount of money Tara Lee made from adoptions from 2016 through 2018 was more than $2 million. Many of those adoptions were fraudulent. But Woodward felt she could prove beyond a reasonable doubt that about half a million came through wire fraud.

And it wasn't the first time Tara Lee had committed a crime. In 2005, she wrote over $22,000 in bad checks, including to two jewelry stores, and was arrested. She also tried to buy a snowmobile with a bad check.

And it wasn't the first time Tara Lee had committed a crime. In 2005, she wrote over $22,000 in bad checks, including to two jewelry stores, and was arrested. She also tried to buy a snowmobile with a bad check.

And it wasn't the first time Tara Lee had committed a crime. In 2005, she wrote over $22,000 in bad checks, including to two jewelry stores, and was arrested. She also tried to buy a snowmobile with a bad check.

Woodward sent the plea agreement to Tara Lee's defense attorney. It required Tara Lee to plead guilty to two charges of wire fraud and acknowledge the evidence against her in the other charges. Tara Lee accepted the deal. The next step would be sentencing. And that's where this white-collar crime prosecution came with a twist.

Woodward sent the plea agreement to Tara Lee's defense attorney. It required Tara Lee to plead guilty to two charges of wire fraud and acknowledge the evidence against her in the other charges. Tara Lee accepted the deal. The next step would be sentencing. And that's where this white-collar crime prosecution came with a twist.

Woodward sent the plea agreement to Tara Lee's defense attorney. It required Tara Lee to plead guilty to two charges of wire fraud and acknowledge the evidence against her in the other charges. Tara Lee accepted the deal. The next step would be sentencing. And that's where this white-collar crime prosecution came with a twist.

Sarah Woodward wanted to give the families and birth parents who were victims of Tara Lee's scam an opportunity to face her in court. And if they wanted, give what's called a victim impact statement. The judge, Bernard Freedman, scheduled Tara Lee's sentencing for the end of February 2020.

Sarah Woodward wanted to give the families and birth parents who were victims of Tara Lee's scam an opportunity to face her in court. And if they wanted, give what's called a victim impact statement. The judge, Bernard Freedman, scheduled Tara Lee's sentencing for the end of February 2020.

Sarah Woodward wanted to give the families and birth parents who were victims of Tara Lee's scam an opportunity to face her in court. And if they wanted, give what's called a victim impact statement. The judge, Bernard Freedman, scheduled Tara Lee's sentencing for the end of February 2020.

Families, including Teresa and Mike Matheny, Nick Granath, Courtney Edmond, and dozens of others traveled back to Detroit. The night before sentencing, a snowstorm descended. Schools throughout the city were closed, but the court stayed open. The next morning, Adam Bells Thomas got in his truck and drove through it to the federal courthouse downtown. His husband Kyle was with him.

Families, including Teresa and Mike Matheny, Nick Granath, Courtney Edmond, and dozens of others traveled back to Detroit. The night before sentencing, a snowstorm descended. Schools throughout the city were closed, but the court stayed open. The next morning, Adam Bells Thomas got in his truck and drove through it to the federal courthouse downtown. His husband Kyle was with him.