Another man pleads guilty in tobacco scam
By Staff Reports
Published in News on July 29, 2009 1:46 PM
Dennis Wray Hawley, 62, of Wilson, pleaded guilty in federal District Court to two counts of aiding and abetting the making of materially false statements in connection with the Federal Crop Insurance Program, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001.
Hawley, along with other tobacco growers, engaged in a scheme to defraud crop insurance companies of funds ultimately reimbursed by the federal government and to launder the proceeds of the underlying fraud.
He was the president of Dennis Hawley Inc., and employed by ARMtech Insurance, as an adjuster, and required to complete a conflict of interest form.
On two separate occasions, Feb. 8, 2005, and March 10, 2006, he falsely declared that he did not have a business relationship with any provider or contractor for ARMtech Insurance.
However, Hawley was designated an insurance agent or "producer" for the Hallmart Agency Inc. ARMtech had contracted The Hallmart Agency to act as a local independent insurance agent.
On Dec. 20, 2005, and Aug. 31, 2006, Hawley received checks from The Hallmart Agency for $28,000 and $10,000, respectively, that represented commissions from producer premiums collected as a result of the sale of crop insurance policies.
"All government programs, whether Federal Crop insurance or other programs, must be conducted free of actual or perceived conflicts of interest," U.S. Attorney George Holding said in a statement. "Here, the defendant failed to disclose a critical conflict of interest and he benefitted substantially. We look forward to the sentencing phase of the case where these wrongs can be addressed."
"Compliance with financial reporting laws is crucial to ensuring the integrity of our nation's financial system," said Jeannine A. Hammett, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigation Division. "IRS remains committed to investigating financial crimes, including structuring, in an effort to deter others from benefitting financially from this type of illegal activity."
There have been nine others previously charged in connection with the scheme to defraud the Federal Crop Insurance Program, who have been sentenced or are awaiting sentencing in the upcoming months.
The maximum penalties for each count are up to five years imprisonment followed by up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.00.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service and the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General.