Former Atlanta CEO Sentenced to Nearly Eight Years for $5 Million Fraud Scheme Using Stolen Identities
Micky Lee Wagner, 57, also known as “Clifton Leigh Wagner Martin,” “Mickey Lee Wagner,” “Leigh Wagner,” “Michy Wagner,” “Lee Wagner,” and “Dr. Leigh,”, has been sentenced to seven years and ten months in federal prison for orchestrating a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme. Wagner, who previously operated Right Step Staffing, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia, was convicted of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft on April 24, 2024.
“Wagner has an extensive history of devising schemes to take advantage of unsuspecting businesses and individuals,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Thanks to the diligence of our federal law enforcement partners at FBI, a measure of justice has been achieved that will also prevent Wagner from victimizing others.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, Wagner used stolen identities to create a false impression of Right Step Staffing as a legitimate staffing company that serviced major corporations such as Kroger Distribution, Duracell, and Clorox. The company had no actual relationship with these businesses. Wagner deceived a factoring company in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, by presenting fraudulent invoices totaling over $6 million, resulting in actual payments of more than $5 million to Wagner.
“Wagner took great measures to create the fraudulent billing scheme to use these companies like his personal ATM,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley. “His actions not only harmed businesses, but also the victims of his identity theft. Wagner will now have several years behind bars to consider the impact of his actions.”
Wagner used the proceeds from the scheme to purchase real estate, a café, multiple luxury vehicles, undergo plastic surgery, and take a Royal Caribbean cruise, while diverting a substantial amount of cash for personal use.
After his indictment in July 2022, Wagner fled to Kansas City, Missouri, where he evaded arrest for nearly a year. He was captured by FBI agents in July 2023. Wagner also defrauded another factoring company in Minnesota of more than $750,000 and attempted to defraud other companies. He has multiple prior felony convictions, including a federal fraud conviction from 2001, and fled Kansas City while on supervised release for that conviction.
U.S. District Judge J. P. Boulee sentenced Wagner to seven years and ten months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered him to pay restitution of $3,092,512.88. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen H. McClain and Sekret T. Sneed prosecuting.
