On January 27, 2026, a Manitowoc woman, Cherie Campion, 64, was handed an eighteen-month prison sentence for her role in a money laundering scheme involving millions of dollars. According to a press release from the United States Attorney's Office, Campion was convicted on charges stemming from the operation of a fraudulent temporary staffing agency, which over time generated thousands of fake invoices, defrauding two companies out of more than $10 million. In addition to her prison sentence, Campion has been ordered to pay restitution and will be subject to three years of supervised release following her imprisonment.
United States District Judge Lynn Adelman, while sentencing Campion, highlighted the gravity of the crimes, pointing out the significant dollar amounts and the persistent lies that were upheld over years. The judge also characterized Campion's criminal undertakings as "sophisticated" and "intricate operations," which included generating false financial records, devising a fictitious persona to beguile her victims, and utilizing a "voice modulator" to enhance her deception. Despite considering Campion unlikely to reoffend, Judge Adelman imposed the prison term to hopefully deter potential offenders from engaging in similar white-collar crimes, as stated in the information obtained by the United States Attorney's Office.
Brad D. Schimel, the United States Attorney, commended the investigative and prosecutorial team that brought Campion to justice. He asserted that the sentencing should serve as a stark warning to others considering similar fraudulent behavior that they will be caught and incarcerated. Echoing his sentiments, FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr cited that Campion's elaborate scheme caused significant harm, a sentiment underscored in the announcement by the United States Attorney's Office, and affirmed FBI's resolve to work in concert with other agencies to target those exploiting others for personal gain.
Federal agencies have been at the forefront to investigate and dismantle these kinds of fraud schemes. Adam Jobes from IRS Criminal Investigation pledged to pool their skills with those of other agencies to create a formidable team against wrongdoing. Mary T. Johnson from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service stressed the determination to maintain the integrity of the U.S. Mail against any form of criminal activity. The authorities expressed their intent to not let the mail system to be exploited for fraudulent purposes and to maintain its security for the public. Vincent Zehme from the FDIC OIG amplified the message, stating Campion's sentencing and restitution order should clearly signal the unwavering commitment to bring to an end such fraudulent activities that also threaten the integrity of the nation's financial systems, as detailed in the judicial press release.
The collaborative investigation conducted by various federal agencies including the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation resulted in Campion’s prosecution. The matter was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Knight. This case highlights the concerted effort by federal agencies to take down elaborate fraud schemes and serve justice, ensuring victims are compensated and perpetrators held accountable.
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