The Michigan State Police's Cheboygan Post has arrested a man involved in an alleged scam involving government fleet contracts, the agency announced.
The agency is currently investigating the allegedly fraudulent fleet purchasing complaint that Bruno Val Novel, 43, posed as the new vendor for state and federal government vehicle fleet contracts, according to an agency release.
The investigation determined the subject approached numerous small businesses in the automotive service industry in Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Alpena, Alcona and Iosco counties, promising the businesses they would be the exclusive automotive service providers for state and federal fleet vehicles.
The businesses signed fraudulent contracts for a new credit card terminal, which required personal identification information for the business owner, including the business' bank account information.
In addition to promising government fleet contract business, he also promised that participating businesses would receive a federal grant of $80,000 in February 2011.
Novel was arrested in Alpena on Jan. 3 and was returned to Cheboygan County, where he was charged with five counts of Fraudulent Activities, each a 10-year felony. He was arraigned in the 89th District Court in Cheboygan. Bond was set at $200,000 cash, the release stated.
