Articles

FBI agent references Brizzi in Bales trial testimony

Federal prosecutors rested their fraud case against John M. Bales and partner William E. Spencer on Monday after a full day of testimony from FBI Special Agent Brian Percival that included several references to former Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi.

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Marsh to call former CEO as first witness

The lead lawyer for Marsh Supermarkets Inc. expects to call Don Marsh as its first witness when the civil trial against him reconvenes Tuesday. The grocery chain alleges that the former CEO used company funds to pay more than $3 million in personal expenses.

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Fraud trial for broker Bales begins in South Bend

The federal fraud trial of Indianapolis real estate broker John M. Bales and a partner began Monday morning in South Bend with a jury-selection process that may not have run as smoothly if it took place in central Indiana.

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Bales’ trial could turn on definition of ownership

The jury trial in South Bend for real estate developer John Bales and his general counsel, William E. Spencer, is scheduled to begin Jan. 28 and last up to two weeks. Bales and Spencer, both 45, are facing 13 counts, including wire and mail fraud.

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REWIND: IBJ’s top 10 business stories of 2012

Top 10 business stories of 2012 Watch VideoThe state's labor landscape changed, and the housing market improved. Indianapolis basked in the glow of a flawless Super Bowl, and big-name CEOs were shown the door. IBJ's reporters and editors recall the year's biggest stories.

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Durham gets 50 years for fraud scheme

Former Indianapolis businessman Tim Durham was sentenced to 50 years in prison for running a Ponzi scheme that led to the collapse of Fair Finance, costing thousands of investors $250 million. Accomplices Jim Cochran and Rick Snow received 25 years and 10 years, respectively.

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Fraud victims detail losses before Durham’s sentencing

A 74-year-old former nun who cares for young children to earn a living after being swindled out of her life savings and a woman whose father lost $170,000 in proceeds from the sale of his farm testified against Tim Durham and his two fraud accomplices Friday morning.

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Prosecutors: Durham, accomplices deserve life sentences

Saying their crimes were “as serious as any financial fraud crime ever committed,” federal prosecutors re-emphasized Monday their recommendation that Ponzi schemer Tim Durham and his two accomplices deserve to spend the rest of their lives in prison.

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Durham lawyer balks at proposed 225-year sentence

The attorney for convicted Ponzi schemer Tim Durham argues that the presentencing report miscalculates the losses suffered by investors, includes a range of allegations that weren’t proven at trial and blames his client for events outside his control.

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Legal fees nearing $9M in Fair Finance bankruptcy

The trustee in the Fair Finance bankruptcy case and his law firm have run up legal bills approaching $9 million, nearly double the recoveries they've achieved to date for investors victimized by convicted fraudster Tim Durham.

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Ex-Countrymark CEO denied early prison release

David Swanson had argued that his lawyers were derelict in not seeking a mistrial stemming from his 2002 conviction on wire fraud, money laundering and tax evasion charges. A federal appeals court on Wednesday affirmed his 12-year sentence.

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Former Durham exec ordered to pay $30,000

Former Obsidian Enterprises Inc. President Terry Whitesell will pay the amount as part of a settlement agreement. A bankruptcy trustee representing investors of Fair Finance Co., owned by convicted financier Tim Durham, had sought more than $225,000 from Whitesell.

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