Father and son
plead guilty to fraud
BUFFALO - U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced Monday that Clifford Brehm, 76, of Angola, and his son, Michael Brehm, 51, of Lakeview, both pleaded guilty to mail fraud in connection with a large scale rebate fraud scheme before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara - Michael Brehm on Wednesday and Clifford Brehm Monday. Clifford Brehm also pleaded guilty to a felony tax charge. Mail fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. The tax charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or both.
Over the course of several years, each engaged in a scheme to fraudulently obtain rebates. Rebates typically are offered by companies to entice the purchase of a product, or reward customers for purchasing a product. Normally rebates are limited, sometimes one per household. Rebate offer forms frequently warn that fraudulent submission of rebate forms may be prosecuted as mail fraud. Rebates also generally require the submission of an original cash register receipt as proof of the purchase.
Clifford Brehm, and joined later by Michael Brehm, used numerous post office boxes, mail box rentals, and home addresses, along with variations of their names, and family member names, to obtain multiple rebates. Clifford Brehm also utilized a cash register, which was used to produce false receipts. Since 2004, Clifford Brehm submitted more than 4,500 rebates to three fulfillment companies, while Michael Brehm submitted more than 3,600 since 2006. The rebates were sent to three fulfillment companies, with each defendant obtaining over $65,000 as a result of their conduct.
Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office
CHAUTAUQUA - On Friday, a Fulton, Mo., man was charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI), DWI per se blood alcohol content of .08 percent or higher, and insufficient tail lamps.
Around 1:40 a.m., sheriff's patrol observed a vehicle with less than two lighted tail lamps. The vehicle was stopped and the operator was identified as Taylor H. Smith, 23, of Fulton.
Following an investigation, Smith was arrested for driving while intoxicated.
Around 6:10 p.m., deputies were called to a residence in Sinclairville for an alleged incident. After investigation, Theodore A. Daughenbaugh, 49, of Sinclairville, was taken into custody and charged with second-degree harassment.
Daughenbaugh was arraigned in the Town of Cherry Creek, where bail was set in the amount of $1,000. Daughenbaugh was then transported to Chautauqua County Jail.
Around 5:40 p.m., deputies were called to a residence on Route 380 in the Town of Stockton.
After investigation it is alleged that Stephanie R. Ernst, 23, of Bonita Lane, Jamestown, damaged property which did not belong to her. Ernst was issued an appearance ticket for fourth-degree criminal mischief.
On Aug. 9, Scott F. Wynn, 37, of Jamestown, turned himself in to authorities.
On Sunday, Jorge W. Sanchez, 27, of Jamestown was wanted for violation of probation. Sanchez has been arrested on his charges by Lakewood Busti Police.
On Sunday, Brandon M. Anderson, 25, of Jamestown was wanted for violation of probation. Anderson has been arrested and is currently in Jefferson Correctional Facility in Florida.
