Overview

• Michael T. Bacigalupo admitted in federal court to diverting more than $750,000 from the State Theatre and the Bay City Historical Society to pay for renovations at Wenonah Park’s bandshell.
• He agreed to forfeit $754,541.17 and could owe additional restitution, and he remains free on a $10,000 unsecured bond with surrendered travel documents pending sentencing before Judge Thomas L. Ludington.
• Prosecutors said the scheme led the State Theatre to default on a loan and enter bankruptcy, while the Historical Society’s planned renovations were left incomplete.
• According to plea records, he obtained a $150,000 SBA loan and an $800,000 Bay County Growth Alliance loan by pledging theatre assets, then concealed the activity with fictitious board minutes, third‑party invoices, and Quickbook entries.
• The plea notes he pursued a $900,000 federal grant under false pretenses that was never disbursed, and prosecutors will recommend a sentence not exceeding the low end of the advisory guideline range.