Matthew R. Weaver of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and two accomplices have been charged with 45 counts of felony financial fraud. Charges range from theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, being part of a corrupt organization, dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activity, and criminal use of a communications device.
According to the Tribune-Democrat, Weaver was working with a salesman for M&K Truck Centers in Somerset, PA when this caper went into action. Weaver was in contact with at least nine victim companies that thought they were purchasing tractor-trailers from M&K.
When you buy a truck to be built to custom specifications, you have to provide a down payment on the rig. The payment is usually made by an ACH bank transfer from your bank account to the finance company.
Weaver and his partners allegedly told the companies to put the money in a bank account held by him or an accomplice. Some companies even paid by credit cards as well.
The court affidavit said M&K management began investigating after being contacted by one of the trucking companies inquiring about his build. The salesman was terminated immediately and told to return his company car, laptop, and cell phone.
However, the cell phone and the computer had both been erased. Luckily, the company’s information technology team was able to retrieve the text messages and emails from their internal server.
Charges were brought Monday against the salesman and the other alleged accomplice before District Judge Kenneth Johnson in Somerset who authorized the arrest warrants.
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