A Metamora, Michigan, business owner pleaded guilty to tax evasion and conspiring to steal from an organization receiving federal funds. According to court documents and statements made in court, Anthony Sereno co-owned and operated several businesses in Michigan, including USA Direct LLC (USA Direct), which advertised on behalf of healthcare providers and solicited individuals for medical and personal injury legal services. During 2013, Sereno diverted funds from USA Direct’s business account for his personal use, but did not include those funds on his individual tax return. He also did not report on that return more than $280,000 in income he directly received from USA Direct. In 2013, Sereno directed funds from USA Direct’s business account to an intermediary, who used the funds to purchase Michigan traffic crash reports stolen from the Flint Police Department. From 2014 through 2017, Sereno also conspired with Carol Almeranti and Karen Miller to obtain stolen police reports from the Detroit Police Department. Almeranti and Miller previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges, and are awaiting sentencing.
