Home Depot fraud

An Auburn Hills man is facing time in prison after pleading guilty for his role in a retail fraud scheme that bilked Home Depot stores in 13 states out of more that $300,000. Mlive.com reports 47-year-old Christopher Smith pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud last week in Flint U.S. District Court. He’s accused in a scheme that stretched from Florida to Michigan and allegedly involved more than 100 Home Depot stores. An affidavit filed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation alleges that Smith and another man masterminded the scheme that included switching UPC codes on expensive items with those of cheaper items in order to purchase the goods for less than the marked price. The plea agreement includes a sentencing guideline range of 41-51 months in prison. Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison. Smith is scheduled to be sentenced December 5th.  (MRN)