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Michigan Lawmaker Charged With Fraudulently Seeking Loan

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - A Michigan lawmaker with a lengthy criminal record is facing new felony charges for allegedly submitting fraudulent pay stubs to secure a $3,000 loan in 2010.

Democratic state Rep. Brian Banks of Detroit was charged Tuesday by Attorney General Bill Schuette's office. If convicted, the 39-year-old would be considered a habitual offender and might potentially face life imprisonment after previous convictions for writing bad checks and credit card fraud.

An investigator's affidavit filed in a Detroit court says Banks sought a $7,500 personal loan from the Detroit Metropolitan Credit Union by submitting false pay stubs from IHI Attorneys + Consultants. He stated the loan's purpose was for a bar review course.

Defense attorney Ben Gonek says the charges are "ridiculous" and tainted by politics.

Gonek says in a statement that "Banks was successful in defeating the automobile insurance companies' efforts to minimize automobile insurance benefits for the Citizens of Detroit," and refers to Schuette as "a devote ally of the automobile insurance lobby."

 

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