Former Verizon worker sent to prison in fraud case
Posted:
Updated:
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
ATLANTA -
Authorities say a former Verizon Wireless employee has been sentenced to prison after federal officials say he ordered nearly $2.8 million in equipment for the firm and then sold it out of his Georgia home.
Prosecutors say 62-year-old Michael W. Baxter of Ball Ground used the proceeds to buy cars, jewelry and cosmetic surgeries for his girlfriend.
The release sent to FOX 5 News on Wednesday from the U.S. Department of Justice states that Baxter was sentenced to four years in prison after he was convicted of wire fraud.
Authorities say Baxter ordered the communications equipment from Cisco Systems over a decade when he was employed as a Verizon network engineer. U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said Baxter then funded a lavish lifestyle.
Baxter was also ordered to pay $2.3 million in restitution to Cisco Systems and $462,828 to Verizon.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:06 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:06:52 GMT
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:00:01 GMT
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:32 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:32:57 GMT
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:28 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:28:55 GMT
In-depth reporting by the Druid Hills High School student newspaper on DeKalb's accreditation controversy landed the head of SACS as the school's commencement speaker on Friday.
In-depth reporting by the Druid Hills High School student newspaper on DeKalb's accreditation controversy landed the head of SACS as the school's commencement speaker on Friday.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:50:02 GMT
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
