Jury Convicts Eau Claire Man of Wire Fraud

MADISON, WIS. – An Eau Claire, Wisconsin, man has been convicted of wire fraud and attempting to commit wire fraud. Robert Carter, 45, was convicted following a two-day trial in federal court in Madison. The jury reached a verdict today after just over an hour of deliberation. The guilty verdict is announced by Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin.

The government presented evidence at trial that from April 22, 2020 to January 25, 2021, Carter made false statements and provided false documents to companies that leased and sold semitrucks in an attempt to fraudulently obtain property, specifically, semi-trucks, to use in 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.

U.S. District Judge William M. Conley scheduled sentencing for October 17, 2024. Carter faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on the each of the two fraud counts.

The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance provided by the Office of the U.S. Trustee for the Western District of Wisconsin. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chad Elgersma and Megan Stelljes.