BEND, Ore. — The former owner of a Bend-based microbrewery equipment company was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison after defrauding nearly 24 customers out of more than $880,000, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the state of Oregon.
Michael Mulder, 52, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release, and was ordered to pay $887,116 in restitution to the victims. The FBI and Bend Police Department investigated the case.
Federal prosecutors said that Mulder used his company, WeCan Brewing Systems, LLC, to solicit payments for custom-built microbrewery systems, keg washers and other industrial brewing products. WeCan Brewing Systems was co-founded by Mulder in 2014.
From at least Jan. 2017 to June 2018, Mulder solicited and accepted orders that he knew his company could not fulfil. When customers asked for updates, prosecutors said that Mulder lied, stating that the orders were on schedule or near completion. Mulder would also solicit customers for more payments by sending emails and text messages, which included photos of nearly completed orders for other customers, then send them fake invoices for shipping costs. The customers would then pay but receive nothing.
Mulder used those funds for personal expenses, including paying off loans and paying suppliers. In total, Mulder defrauded 23 customers out of more than $880,000.
On Feb. 19, 2020, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a seven-count indictment, which charged Mulder with wire and mail fraud. He pleaded guilty to all counts on April 3, 2024.
