Business

Trucking exec pleads guilty in Racine fraud case

Posted January 28, 2009 10:00 pm

Associated Press

MILWAUKEE -- The head of a trucking company accused of helping to defraud SC Johnson of Racine out of millions of dollars pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of participating in a mail fraud scheme.

Thomas Russell ran JMP Trucking and JMP Intermodal of Racine when Milton Morris headed the transportation department at SC Johnson. Morris allegedly demanded kickbacks for the hauling business, and the companies are accused of inflating rates to get money to pay Morris.

The 68-year-old Russell is scheduled to be sentenced in May.

Prosecutors have said Morris and former deputy Katherine Scheller also agreed to plead guilty. They are due in court Thursday.

Three others -- former business partners Peter O'Malley, Michael Rivett and Patrick Kane -- pleaded guilty Tuesday to two counts each of participating in a mail fraud scheme.

SC Johnson won $203.8 million in a civil case, tried last spring, related to the fraud case.

Article Comments

Article Categories
Business Content Providers

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.