Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015 | 3:52 p.m.
A Las Vegas man pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge after he was accused of taking more than $5 million from small business owners seeking grants.
Mickey Gines, 41, pleaded guilty Monday before U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He’s accused of partaking in a scheme that bilked $5.3 million in fees from 390 victims.
Gines is scheduled to be sentenced June 4 and faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Two others also were charged. Christine Gagnon, 35, of Escanaba, Mich. — who also goes by Crystal Walters — pleaded guilty in November to the same charge. She’s scheduled to be sentenced March 19.
Gregory Villegas, 35, of Las Vegas — who goes by the names Ray Matsui and Ray Mathis — pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for trial March 16.
According to Gines’ plea agreement, a scheme was hatched in March 2008 to convince business owners to pay for grants that were never intended to be pursued. The alleged victims were lied to and told they were pre-qualified or guaranteed private and government grants, officials said.
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