Michael Winans Jr. loses appeal in fraud case

DETROIT (AP) -- A federal appeals court says a member of a well-known Detroit gospel music family has waived his right to appeal key parts of a fraud case. Michael Winans Jr. has been ordered to pay more than $4 million to people who thought they were making legitimate investments with him. He objects to the amount of restitution, but the appeals court said Monday that Winans waived appeals in his 2012 plea deal with prosecutors. The court says Winans' attorney also acknowledged the amount to be repaid during a court hearing. Winans pleaded guilty to selling bogus Saudi Arabian oil bonds. He was sentenced last year to nearly 14 years in federal prison. Published: Wed, Mar 19, 2014