In mid-Michigan news, Lansing resident Leslie Buck has entered a guilty plea to several felony counts involving fraudulent grant applications submitted to the Michigan Department of Treasury. According to the Michigan Attorney General's Office, the 26-year-old man faced charges filed last December and has now admitted to his wrongdoing in court.
Buck, who found himself embroiled in legal troubles, faced eight felony counts. This includes seven counts of Perjury – Other Than Court Proceeding, each with a potential sentence of 15 years, and one count of Using a Computer to Commit a Crime, which carries a sentence of up to 10 years. After agreeing to plead guilty on all counts, the additional charge of being a Fourth Habitual Felony Offender was dropped by the prosecution.
It was reported that Buck exploited the Growing MI Business Grant program, designed to assist local entrepreneurs and business owners. The fraudulent activities were initially detected by the Lansing Police Department, eventually involving the Michigan Department of Treasury in the investigation. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel highlighted the importance of the grant programs and the importance of protecting them. "Grant programs are designed to support Michigan residents striving to grow their businesses and should not be exploited for someone’s own personal gain," she said, as reported by the Attorney General's Office. The sentencing for Leslie Buck is scheduled for July 23, 2025, before Judge Wanda Stokes at the 30th Circuit Court in Ingham County.
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