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Metro Detroit Businessman Charged with Wire Fraud and Money Laundering

An abstract depiction illustrating the concept of fraud in the context of business.

News Summary

Karl Fultz, a businessman from Metro Detroit, faces charges of wire fraud and money laundering due to alleged fraudulent use of a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. Investigations revealed falsified employee numbers and exaggerated payroll claims by Fultz’s companies. The charges highlight ongoing federal scrutiny of fraudulent activities related to COVID-19 relief funds as Fultz faces seven counts, underscoring the importance of transparency in financial dealings.

Detroit, MI – Karl Fultz, a businessman based in Metro Detroit, has been charged in federal court with wire fraud and money laundering related to the misuse of funds from a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. The charges were announced on May 14, 2025, highlighting Fultz’s alleged fraudulent activities involving multiple business entities he owns, including Wheel Effects, Inc., Media Planett, LLC, and Karl Fultz Music, LLC.

According to court documents, Fultz, who operates Wheel Effects, Inc., which designs and manufactures bicycles and accessories, sought a substantial PPP loan of $866,688. He claimed that Wheel Effects had 41 employees and an average monthly payroll of $346,676. However, investigations revealed that the company had few or no employees, and his claims of payroll expenses were reportedly fabricated. Fultz is also accused of submitting false IRS documents, including a Schedule C tax form that claimed the company paid over $4 million in wages in 2019, which significantly misrepresented the financial condition of the business.

The PPP loan, which aimed to provide relief to businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, was funded and transferred to Wheel Effects’ bank account at Independent Bank on August 21, 2020. On the same day, Fultz allegedly withdrew $10,000 and transferred $50,000 to another Wheel Effects account. Shortly thereafter, he transferred approximately $261,000 via interstate wire to a Wells Fargo Bank account located in California, which raises significant red flags regarding the intended use of the loan’s proceeds.

Further scrutiny into Fultz’s transactions revealed multiple withdrawals from the PPP loan account that were not associated with legitimate business expenses. Instances included a $22,000 withdrawal tagged for “Media Planett LLC for Radio & TV” and a $26,000 transaction labeled as “Bike Placement in Music Videos.” In total, these transfers illustrate a pattern of diverting funds toward personal interests rather than maintaining business operations as indicated in his loan application.

Additionally, Fultz attempted to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) on July 31, 2020, falsely claiming that Fultz Music had five employees. The application was later submitted along with an EIDL Targeted Advance and Supplemental Targeted Advance in June 2021, which claimed 12 employees. However, the Small Business Administration denied this application due to the inaccuracies presented.

Fultz faces a total of seven charges in this case, including one count of wire fraud, five counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of transactional money laundering. The serious nature of these charges underscores the potential legal consequences of misusing federal relief funds intended to support businesses through the COVID-19 crisis.

This case serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and honesty in financial dealings, particularly in times of crisis when many businesses rely on government assistance to survive. Authorities are continuing to crack down on fraudulent activities associated with pandemic relief programs to ensure that funds are directed to legitimate businesses that genuinely need support.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the case against Fultz highlights the ongoing investigations concerning misuse of COVID-19 relief funds, which has become a significant issue across the United States. The outcomes of such cases may have implications for federal programs designed to assist businesses during disasters and their enforcement going forward.