Man accused in scam enters guilty plea

PONTIAC (AP) — A Detroit man accused of using religion to gain the confidence of people with mortgage problems and steal hundreds of thousands of dollars faces sentencing next month.

The Michigan attorney general’s office says Anthony Carta. 53, pleaded guilty Monday to seven felony charges in Circuit Court in Pontiac.

The case stemmed from an investigation by Attorney General Bill Schuette’s Corporate Oversight Division.

Charges include conducting a criminal enterprise, which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for April 2.

Schuette’s office says Carta had a company called Freedom By Faith Ministries. He’s accused of pocketing their money but doing nothing to help more than 100 people. Carta has been ordered to pay $586,000 in restitution through the organization and $400,000 in restitution himself.