A Missouri man pleaded guilty in federal court to fraudulently obtaining more than $500,000 in Paycheck Protection Program loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Brian Ruth, Sr., 44, of Deepwater, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to federal information […]
A report from State Auditor Nicole Galloway says progress is being made in the city of Parma after an audit last year discovered more than $115,000 was misappropriated through payroll overpayments and improper payments and purchases. The audit, which also found that meeting minutes and financial reports were falsified to conceal the misappropriations, led to criminal charges against […]
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced that on April 27, 2021, Healthy Home & Family, Inc., an in-home health care provider, and its owners, Belinda Bivens and Mary Stockson, have entered into a civil settlement agreement totaling $302,127 in restitution and penalties, with his office for submitting 114 false claims to Missouri Medicaid (MO HealthNet). […]
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced that Brandon Rusin of Rocky Mount, Missouri, has been charged with consumer fraud in both Morgan and Camden Counties. In Morgan County, Rusin faces one count of financial exploitation of the elderly, a class C felony, and one count of deceptive business practice, a class E felony. In Camden […]
The Missouri Securities Division ordered BrendaLeeTrades.com and any individuals running the site to cease and desist after allegedly using the name of a St. Louis-based financial adviser to lure investors into cryptocurrency transactions. On April 23, the division received notification that an unknown individual or individuals allegedly utilized the name of a registered investment adviser […]
Three Albany residents accused of not bringing a vehicle to a disabled woman after taking money from her to do so have been charged in Caldwell County. Forty-two-year-old James Michael Gordon II, 36-year-old Trista Boley, and 31-year-old Christa Danielle Lycan face felony charges of financial exploitation of an elderly or disabled person, stealing–$750 or more, […]
Shane Becker, owner of the Old Town Pharmacy LLC, and Montserrat Ortega-Saucedo, a pharmacy technician at Old Town Pharmacy, were both indicted on 34 total counts in Cole County on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. A Cole County grand jury returned 26 counts of Violations Involving Health Care Payments (Class D Felony), 6 counts of Forgery […]
Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced that Donald L. White, 41, of Festus, has been charged with additional felony counts in Jefferson County relating to allegations of contractor fraud and theft. The Attorney General’s Office is prosecuting the case in conjunction with the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office previously filed […]
Jon Schaffer, 53, of Columbus, Indiana, admitted that he breached the Capitol on January 6, 2021, wearing a tactical vest and armed with bear repellent, and pleaded guilty to unlawfully entering the U.S. Capitol to obstruct Congress’ certification of the U.S. presidential election results. “On this 100th day since the horrific January 6 assault on […]
Just two days after being grilled again by state lawmakers in both parties, the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DOLIR) is suspending all collection of unemployment overpayments, at this time. Missouri House Special Committee on Government Oversight Chairman State Rep. Jered Taylor (R-Nixa) made the announcement on the House floor Thursday in Jefferson City, […]
A Chicago man has been charged in Harrison County with felony money laundering or attempted money laundering. Online court information shows an initial arraignment is scheduled for May 5th for 32-year-old Sydney Eghan. A probable cause statement from Highway Patrol Sergeant Jeffery Owen says $28,000-worth of currency was found in a plastic bag behind the […]
A 2005 blog post by Missouri U.S. Senator Josh Hawley has been uncovered in which he called the film “Jarhead” a “two-and-a-half-hour whine-a-thon about the first Gulf War.” The film Jarhead is based on the memoir of former U.S. Marine Anthony Swofford. CNN reports Hawley called Swofford a protagonist who whines about the […]
The Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control announces it has partnered with the MoDOT Highway Safety and Traffic Division, to launch a free app to aid retail employees and other users in verifying the authenticity of IDs simply by scanning the ID with the camera on a mobile phone or tablet. The “Show-Me ID” app […]
The Chillicothe Police Department has been receiving numerous calls of fraud/scam calls to the elderly, and unfortunately, some have fallen victim to the scams. The Police Department is attempting to provide information to the public in an effort for residents to protect themselves. The following are some common schemes: Romance scam: Criminals pose as interested romantic […]
A Washington man pleaded guilty to defrauding Tyson Foods Inc. (Tyson) and another company (Company 1) out of more than $244 million by charging them under various agreements for the purported costs of purchasing and feeding hundreds of thousands of cattle that did not actually exist. According to court documents, Cody Allen Easterday, 49, of […]
Additional charges have been returned by a federal grand jury against an elected Missouri state representative for a nearly $900,000 COVID-19 fraud scheme, following her indictment last month for a separate fraud scheme in which she made false claims about a supposed stem cell treatment marketed through her clinics in southern Missouri, and for illegally […]
Legislation that requires a photo ID and the use of a paper ballot was given final approval by the Missouri House in Jefferson City on Thursday. The vote, primarily along party lines, was 109-48. House Bill 738 is sponsored by veteran State Rep. Don Rone (R-Portageville), who represents the Bootheel. Rone was unable to make it to the […]
(Missouri Independent) – Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt officially jumped into the GOP primary for the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, making him the second major Republican hopeful seeking to replace Roy Blunt. Schmitt’s decision comes after former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens jumped into the race earlier this week. Both made their announcements on Fox News. “Washington, D.C., needs more […]
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen approved an amendment to an agreement for phone service and accepted a bid for cemetery mowing on March 22nd. The amendment to the City of Gallatin’s Windstream agreement for phone service at the city hall includes upgrading the phone service. City Administrator Lance Rains reported monthly recurring charges will be […]
Beginning in April 2021, prospective jurors in Livingston County can choose to communicate with the court by text or e-mail, as the Livingston County circuit court implements the new Show-Me Jury system. The Livingston County circuit court will mail new Show-Me Jury questionnaires starting April 1, 2021, for jury service beginning June 8, 2021. “A […]
