Muskegon man pleads guilty in sports poster scam.

Gregory Jackson, at right, with attorney Terry Nolan. They appeared in 27th Circuit Court Monday via Zoom video conferencing.

Muskegon man pleads guilty in sports poster scam.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

HART — A 70-year-old Muskegon man will have to pay over $7,300 in restitution for defrauding local businesses in a sports poster advertising scam.

Gregory Allen Jackson pleaded guilty during a pretrial hearing in 27th Circuit Court Monday, April 19, to a felony of false pretenses $1,000-$20,000. One count of common law fraud was dismissed.

“The Hart Police Department began an investigation into this fraud/scam complaint Feb. 11, 2020,” said Hart Police Chief Juan Salazar. The investigation was led by D/Sgt. Kevin Skipski.

“The department was notified by a local business owner of Mr. Jackson selling sports posters featuring the schedules for local football teams along with business advertisements,” said Chief Salazar. “Mr. Jackson would collect the money and proceed to tell the business owner the posters will arrive in the mail or he would hand deliver the posters. Mr. Jackson would not return to the business nor provide the businesses with the posters.

“Approximately seven business within the City of Hart fell victim to Mr. Jackson,” said Chief Salazar.

“During the investigation, businesses within Oceana County also were noted to have purchased posters from Mr. Jackson. At this time, the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office was notified, and a joint investigation began between the Hart Police Department and Oceana County Sheriff’s Office.

“A warrant was issued for Mr. Jackson’s arrest as a result into the joint investigation for common law fraud. Mr. Jackson was arrested by the Hart Police Department in July of 2020.

“I would like to thank D/Sgt Skipski and Detective Parmer, of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, on their dedication into this several months-long investigation.”

Jackson scammed several area businesses, claiming he was selling posters that feature the schedules for Hart, Shelby and Hesperia football teams with business advertisements. Jackson collected the money, ranging in payments from $25 to $300.

“I accepted the money, and I didn’t provide the advertising,” Jackson testified before Judge Robert D. Springstead Monday. 

Sports Promotions Inc., may have started out as a legitimate business, but evolved into a fraud that had been going on for the last few years. 

Due to Jackson’s age and new parameters for sentencing, Jackson will not be sentenced to jail, said Judge Springstead. 

Jackson and attorney Terry Nolan appeared in 27th Circuit Court Monday via Zoom video conferencing due to COVID-19.

Sentencing is set for July 18 at 8:30 a.m.

False pretenses $1,000-$20,000 is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

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