Grain Journal - January/February 2009 - (Page 80) A-Way Grain Indictment ILLINOIS COUPLE INDICTED FOR ALLEGED CONSIPIRACY TO DEFRAUD A federal grand jury Jan. 28 owned grain elevator, and diindicted Mikel and Dianne rectly managed the company’s Crescent City Freeman, managers of the grain operations. former A-Way Grain Inc. in Both Mikel Freeman and his Onarga Crescent City and Onarga, IL wife, Dianne, 57, were associfor alleged conspiracy to deated with Freeman Farms, as fraud that resulted in alleged noted in the indictment. Dianne losses of more than $5 million Freeman was employed at First by stockholders of A-Way Grain; Trust and Savings Bank in two central Illinois banks; the IlliWatseka, IL, from approximately nois Grain Insurance Fund; and othSeptember 1982 to June 2006 and held ers. the position of bookkeeping manager According to the indictment, anwhen she left the bank’s employment. nounced by U.S. Attorney Rodger A. Heaton of the Central District of IlliAllegations nois, Mikel Freeman, 57, was the The indictment alleges that Mikel former president of the Iroquois and Dianne Freeman conspired and carCounty grain company, an employeeried out the scheme by diverting checks received for payment of A-Way grain sales, mailed by grain facilities, from the A-Way account to other accounts held at First Trust and Savings Bank, including a Freeman Trucking, Inc. account and other personal accounts held by Mikel and Dianne Freeman. Farmers owed money by A-Way for grain were paid in full for their insured losses; however, because the company’s grain assets were insufficient to cover valid claims, those payments required a $2.8 million draw on the Illinois Grain Insurance Fund. Mikel and Dianne Freeman each were to be issued a summons to appear in federal court in Peoria, IL, for arraignment. Response No. 801 Response No. 802 80 GJ J/F http://www.perma-tron.com http://www.perma-tron.com http://www.ferrellross.com http://www.ferrellross.com
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