Sources Say Michigan Authorities Have Allegerdly Launched A Criminal Investigation Over Claims FHFA Director Bill Pulte’s Parents Commited Tax Fraud
FHFA Director Bill Pulte’s father and stepmotherare allegedly under a criminal investigation for property tax fraud. The Michigan Department of Treasury has been no official announcement regarding the investigation. However, sources tell MFI-Miami there is an active investigation pending against the Pultes.
The investigation is based on claims made in a Reuters article in September. Reuters alleged Pulte’s father and stepmother knowingly committed homestead proprty tax fraud on their ritzy Michigan home.
Since 2020 the senior Pultes have claimed “homestead tax exemptions” for residences in wealthy neighborhoods in both Michigan and Florida. The exemption is to give a discount to homeowners on taxes for properties they use as their primary residence.
Did Bill Pulte’s Father And Stepmother Intentionally Plan To Defraud Michigan Taxpayers?
Tax officials say homeowners can not claim more than one home as a primary residence. As a result, the Michigan Department of Treasury could make the Pultes pay back taxes. The Department of Treasury will then determine if there was any criminal intent. The file could then be sent to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel for further investigation. Bloomfield Township, Michigan officials said the township revoked the exemption on the Pultes’ residence in September. Records indicate the Pultes attempted to defraud the state of Michigan and Bloomfield Township out of roughly $125,000.
Sources say Bloomfield Township officials also referred it to the Michigan Department of Treasury for collection of the back taxes. The Michigan Department of Treasury is looking to see if there was any criminal intent by the Pultes.
According to public real estate records, the Pultes are also renting out the Michigan property. A move that also violates rules for the exemption.
Palm Beach County officials say the Pulte’s exemption claim in Florida is older. Therefore, it would be up to the state of Michigan to file any fraud claims.
The Pultes bought the Boca Raton house in 2016 for $4.25 million. They later transferred title to a trust. Records show both Pultes are listed as beneficiaries to the trust. Mark Pulte filed the exemption request.
The Pultes purchased the Michigan property for nearly $1 million in 2020. County records show both spouses are beneficiaries of a trust that owns the house. Julie Pulte claimed the exemption there.
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