Law cracking down on retail fraud takes effect

LANSING (AP) -- A new law aimed at cracking down on organized retail crime has taken effect in Michigan. The law makes it a felony punishable by up to five years in prison to knowingly commit organized retail crime. The law covers theft of retail merchandise with the intent or purpose of reselling, distributing or transferring it to another retailer or seller. It also covers use of the mail or any electronic medium such as the Internet. Republican Rep. Joe Graves of Genesee County's Argentine Township sponsored the legislation, which was passed at the end of last session. It also establishes an organized retail crime advisory board that includes members of the state police and the attorney general's office. ---------------- Online: Public Act 455-456: http://1.usa.gov/XMzk2u. Published: Tue, Apr 2, 2013