Man Is Sentenced For False Oath In Bankruptcy Case

A Willis man was sentenced to 4 months' imprisonment followed by 4 months home confinement for making a false oath in the course of bankruptcy proceedings involving his company, "Paul's Cleaning Service", United States Attorney Stephen J. Murphy announced.

Murphy was joined in the announcement by Daniel D. Roberts, Special Agent In Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Office of the U.S. Trustee, Marion J. Mack, Jr. Assistant U.S. Trustee.

Paul E. Sexton, 41, of Willis, Michigan, was sentenced by United States District Judge Patrick J. Duggan.

Sexton pleaded guilty on December 8, 2005 to one count of making a false oath in bankruptcy. On January 18, 2000, Sexton filed a petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. This request was filed on behalf of Sexton's company "Paul's Cleaning Service." During proceedings related to that case a document purporting to be an order issued by United States Bankruptcy Judge Walter Shapero was sent to several clients of Sexton's company in an attempt to stop collection activities by a creditor of the company. Judge Shapero never issued the order and ordered Sexton to appear in his court on October 25, 2000 to testify about his knowledge of the false document. At that hearing Sexton knowingly and intentionally testified falsely, under oath, that he did not prepare or cause the preparation of the false order.

"We will treat any abuse of our federal court system as a matter of utmost gravity. This is an appropriate penalty for someone who forges court orders in order to perpetuate fraudulent conduct, and lies about it under oath. We will not tolerate such flagrant abuse of the judicial system's integrity," United States Attorney Murphy said. "With our partners in the FBI and the U.S. Trustees Office, we will continue to aggressively pursue such cases."

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the help of the U.S. Trustee's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.

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