FREMONT, NE (AP) — A Nebraska sheriff’s deputy has been charged with fraud in a scheme that authorities say cost his victims nearly $11 million.
On Wednesday, the US Attorney for Nebraska unsealed a 15 count indictment against Craig Harbaugh, claiming the sheriff’s investigator defrauded his bank and six acquaintances out of $10,979,214.
Federal court records say 44-year-old Craig Harbaugh faces 13 counts of wire fraud and two more of bank fraud for acts committed between October 2014 and October 2019. He pleaded not guilty after an indictment was filed this week.
The court records say Harbaugh defrauded investors by lying to them about having deals to sell tactical equipment to government customers of his company, Tactical Solutions Gear. The allegations against Harbaugh would appear to be part of an effort to save his struggling business from bankruptcy.
The indictment claims the sheriff’s officer convinced investors and loan officers at Great Western Bank that multi-million dollar sales of merchandise were underway to clients like the Nebraska State Patrol and defense contractors. The indictment indicates no such sales occurred.
Harbaugh lives in Fremont and is a Dodge County deputy. He’s been placed on administrative leave. The court records don’t yet list a trial date.
