Marcos Daniel Jiménez, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Michael S. Clemens, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Division, announced today that Lanette Black was sentenced by United States District Judge James Cohn to a period of 46 months’ imprisonment, 3 years’ supervised release, and $87,202.30 in restitution for her part in a telemarketing fraud as Manager of Amansco Credit Services Inc., in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 1997 and 1998.

Black was found guilty on October 17, 2003, by a federal jury in Fort Lauderdale of conspiracy to commit wire fraud during the period 1997 and 1998. Both Amansco and Franklin Credit Services, Inc., defrauded over 5,000 customers around the United States of over $2.7 million. Prior to Black’s trial, eight Franklin sales people pled guilty, including the scheme organizer, James Michael Christensen.

Both Amansco and Franklin claimed to be in the debt consolidation business and advertised in newspapers around the country.

Mr. Jiménez commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey H. Kay.