Michael Winans Jr., a member of the iconic Winans gospel music family has been charged with fraud. Reports say that authorities uncovered a scam involving more than $8 million and fake oil bonds. A lawyer for Michael Winans Jr., Attorney William Hatchett of Pontiac, Michigan says that Winans plans to plead guilty to the charges. Winans had knowledge that the Saudi Arabian oil bonds weren’t legit although he continued to accept money from more than 1,000 investors in 2007 and 2008, according to a filing this week in Detroit federal court.
Michael Winans Jr. is a third-generation member of one of gospel music’s first families. He’s the grandson of Delores “Mom” Winans and David “Pop” Winans Sr., and son of Michael Winans Sr., a member of The Winans, a quartet of brothers. His uncle, Marvin Winans, gave the eulogy at Whitney Houston’s funeral.
