Denver couple sentenced for defrauding defense contractor out of over $5 million

DENVER (KDVR) — A Denver couple was sentenced to several years in federal prison after being convicted for their roles in a wire fraud scheme that defrauded a Department of Defense contractor out of over $5 million, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado.

Kimberly Ann Tew, 43, was sentenced to 48 months in prison on Aug. 8, while Michael Tew, 45, was sentenced to 42 months on Nov. 12. Both were ordered to share a forfeiture judgment of over $5 million and restitution of $5 million.

Kimberly was also ordered to pay a $35,000 fine while Michael was ordered to pay a $100,000 fine.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, starting in 2018, the couple conspired to defraud National Air Cargo by submitting dozens of false invoices for services and items never provided to them.

The two defrauded the business out of $5 million over the course of 2 years with the help of a co-conspirator, according to the attorney's office.

The couple gambled away much of the money and also spent $2.4 million buying cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency ATMs in the Denver area, according to the attorney's office.

Michael also did not file any federal income tax returns from 2016 to 2019.

“Michael and Kimberly Tew’s greed and desire for a lavish lifestyle led to the judgment handed down today,” Tom Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation Denver Field Office said. “These two sentences are an example of the impressive work of our special agents and law enforcement partners and reinforces the fact that financial crimes carry with them significant penalties.”

IRS Criminal Investigation's Denver Field Office and the FBI Denver Field Office conducted the investigation.