A federal investigation has resulted in the arrest of a Connecticut man last month.
According to a media release from the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG), on May 28, the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut indicted Michael Salvaggi on charges of wire fraud, mail fraud, and interstate transportation of property taken by fraud.
The indictment alleges that Salvaggi claimed he owned multiple trucking and wholesale food businesses, including A.J. Produce, LLC; Express Transportation; Salvaggi Brothers Trucking; and Express Fresh Produce & Dairy.
Investigators say under the cover of these fraudulent entities, Salvaggi contacted wholesale food suppliers in Connecticut and elsewhere to purchase food on credit or payment on delivery or pickup. After the suppliers provided him with the food, he allegedly paid them with fraudulent checks.
“Numerous wholesale food companies suffered total losses of hundreds of thousands of dollars because of this scheme,” the indictment read.
Authorities say Salvaggi has been detained since March 7, 2026, when he was arrested in St. John’s County, Florida, for related State charges in Pennsylvania.
Bruce Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has lived in three states including Arkansas, Missouri and Georgia. During his nearly 20-year career, Bruce has served as managing editor and sports editor for numerous publications. He and his wife, Dana, who is also a journalist, are based in Carrollton, Georgia.
