Winans family member pleads guilty in $8M scam

DETROIT (AP) -- A member of the Winans gospel-music family has pleaded guilty to fraud in a scam involving more than $8 million and bogus oil bonds. The government says Michael Winans Jr. knew the Saudi Arabian oil bonds weren't real, but he continued to accept money from more than 1,000 investors in 2007 and 2008. The Jessup., Md., man is accused of recycling the money among investors and also using cash for his personal use. His guilty plea Wednesday in Detroit federal court wasn't a surprise. Defense attorney William Hatchett predicted it a few weeks ago. Winans 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. His uncle Marvin Winans gave the eulogy at Whitney Houston's funeral. Published: Fri, Oct 5, 2012