In the following press release the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Arizona announced that a federal grand jury returned a 34-count indictment yesterday against Frank Anteri, 44, of Anthem and Peoria, Ariz., and the president of defunct WC Contractors, Inc., charging him with bank fraud, mail fraud and the making and possession of counterfeit securities. Anteri will receive a summons for a date for his initial appearance on the charges.
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Additional Materials

• Press Release
• Indictment

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The indictment alleges that Anteri attempted to negotiate over $5,000,000 in counterfeit official bank checks and counterfeit company checks. Anteri used the counterfeit checks in attempts to purchase real estate [in Anthem, AZ - caused victim to advance him $500,000] and in the payment of his business and personal expenses. Anteri also deposited counterfeit checks into bank accounts he controlled and wrote checks against the bogus deposits he made..

A conviction for bank fraud carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine or both. A conviction for mail fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years, a $250,000 fine or both. A conviction for making or possessing counterfeit securities carries a maximum penalty of 10 years, a $250,000 fine or both. In determining an actual sentence, the judge will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence.

An indictment is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service. The prosecution is being handled by Peter Sexton, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.