Downtown standoff suspect part of BP oil spill fraud investigation, faced 90 years in prison

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — We’ve learned the man who died after a standoff with US Marshals, police and deputies in downtown Wilmington was recently due in court on fraud charges involving millions of dollars in relief funds.

Michael Rosella (Source: Port City Accounting)

Investigators said Michael Rosella died from a self-inflicted gunshot last night. A US Marshals spokesman said Rosella was due in a Washington, DC, federal court two days ago on charges of defrauding millions from the Gulf Oil Spill in 2010. When he did not show up for court, the spokesman said agents got a warrant for his arrest. When they tried to serve the warrant, the spokesman said, the standoff began.

If convicted, Rosella could have faced up to 90 years in prison. Rosella had ties to the Wilmington area. He was listed as the president of Port City Accounting located in the Cotton Exchange downtown.