Local News
More theft charges in Britton Chevrolet closing
A group of four employees from the defunct Britton Chevrolet dealership in Berea are facing additional theft charges in connection with vehicle sales the dealership made before closing.
Darian Jones, Danny Sweet, Don Wilson and Clifford Chambers all were indicted Thursday by a Madison County grand jury on theft by failure to make required disposition charges for allegedly failing to forward usage taxes the dealership collected to the Madison County Clerk’s office before the dealership closed in January 2009.
Chambers, who was president of the dealership, is named in all 15 counts of the indictment. Of the 15 counts, 12 are Class D felony counts relating to the collection of the usage taxes, two are misdemeanors relating to the usage taxes and one is a Class D felony charge solely against Chambers relating to the collection of sales taxes that allegedly were not paid to the state.
Jones, the former general manager, is named in two of the felony counts, while his successor, Wilson, is named in 12 of the felony counts and both misdemeanor counts.
Sweet is named in six of the felony counts and one of the misdemeanor counts, according to a copy of the indictment.
The indictment alleges that the dealership collected more than $8,200 in state usage taxes on the sale of 14 cars between Aug. 27, 2008, and Jan. 23, 2009, and alleges employees failed to remit that money to the county clerk before the dealership went out of business.
The sales tax charge against Chambers alleges that the dealership failed to remit sales taxes to the state between July 2007 and January 2009, and that Chambers “intentionally dealt with the property as though it belonged to Britton Chevrolet Olds Inc. and failed to make the required payment to the Commonwealth.”
The four men all were arraigned on the new charges Thursday afternoon during an appearance in Madison Circuit Court on similar charges already filed against them.
Those charges were returned in a June indictment. Chambers was indicted on 12 counts of theft by failure to make required disposition and seven counts of theft by deception, while Jones was indicted on six counts of theft by failure to make required disposition, four counts of theft by deception and three counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument.
The forged instrument charges against Jones stem from lien release forms presented to the county clerk’s office that allegedly were forged.
Sweet was indicted on seven counts of theft by failure to make required disposition and two counts of theft by deception, while Wilson was indicted on 12 counts of theft by failure to make required disposition and two counts of theft by deception.
Those charges stem from the alleged failure of the dealership to pay off liens against vehicles that were traded in as part of transactions.
Pretrial conferences on both sets of charges are scheduled for Feb. 4 to allow defense attorneys for each of the men to review the new charges with their clients.
Other indictments
The grand jury also returned an indictment Thursday against Robert D. Plowman, 49, of Irvine, charging him with second-degree burglary and a second-degree persistent felony offender charge.
Plowman allegedly broke into a Madison County home on Aug. 21, the indictment states.
If convicted, Plowman could receive an enhanced sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison.
An indictment is a formal statement of charges and does not imply guilt.
Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.
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Arts Gala, Pottery Festival kick off autumn activities
A nearly non-stop string of festivals and other fall events starts on Friday.
The Richmond Area Arts Council will get things going on Friday with its 20th annual Arts Gala at the home of Marilyn and Ralph Hacker, beginning at 5 p.m. It will be highlighted by a 6:30 p.m. dinner show with the Cool Waters cowboy band. For tickets, visit www.artsinrichmond.org or call 624-4242.
On Saturday and Sunday, the sixth annual Great American Pottery Festival with eight potters demonstrating their craft will take place in Richmond’s Irvine McDowell Park. More than 40 arts and crafts vendors will have their wares for purchase. Although getting a chance to turn mud into a pot or vase is great fun for children of all ages, the annual Kids Fest on Saturday in the park will have loads of other entertainment for youngsters. Both events are free. -
Alford plea for two suspected in Iowa robbery
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Both men entered Alford pleas. By entering an Alford plea, a defendant admits that enough evidence exists for prosecutors to convince a jury the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, but does not actually admit to performing the crime of which they are accused. -
Delinquent taxpayers given warning to pay
The City of Richmond is giving those who owe delinquent property taxes a chance to pay before their name and owed amount appear in the Richmond Register.
The names of those who owe and how much they owe the city is scheduled to be published as a legal advertisement in the newspaper Saturday, Sept. 25. The deadline to pay before the name and amount are listed is Tuesday, Sept. 21 by 4:30 p.m.
The delinquent taxes being sought are for 2009, and bills for 2010 collections will be mailed out on Oct. 1. -
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In 2010, Pattie A. Clay will complete 118 years of providing healthcare for Madison and the surrounding counties. The year 2010 will also mark the sixth and final year that Robert J. Hudson will serve as the hospital’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Hudson will be retiring next spring with 33 total years of service to Pattie A. Clay. -
Richmond man pleads guilty to robbing stores
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