Investigations

On December 14, Barbara Wilkey and Regjean Welch, former employees of the Michigan Department of State (which issues drivers licenses to state residents) pled guilty in U.S. District Court in Detroit to conspiracy in providing fraudulent driver’s licenses and/or other identification documents, in exchange for payments. Wilkey received regular payments via cash, entertainment, or repayment of gambling debts, while Welch was paid $100 to $200 by a co–conspirator for each fraudulent document issued. Wilkey is scheduled for sentencing on March 20, 2006; Welch’s sentencing is scheduled for May 1, 2006. The ongoing investigation is being conducted as part of an FBI Task Force with DHS–ICE; the Michigan Department of State and the Michigan State Police.