ANDERSON, Ind. — The last two men indicted in a federal investigation into $259,000 in town funds stolen from Chesterfield have filed guilty pleas in federal court.
Former Town Marshal James Kimm and an Anderson man, Willard A. Felts Jr., on Feb. 4 filed plea agreements with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana in Indianapolis. If accepted by the court, each man would face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of as much as $250,000.
Kimm’s guilty plea stipulates that his involvement in the criminal diversion of funds cost the town $164,974. Felts’ plea stipulates the loss attributable to him through criminal activity is $37,600.
Timothy Morrison, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, said the court has yet to schedule a hearing on plea agreements entered by Felts and Kimm, or on agreements previously filed by disgraced former town Clerk/Treasurer Christopher Parrish and ex-police officer Joseph Brown.
Parrish and Brown also have pleaded guilty and likewise face possible prison terms of 10 years and fines of $250,000 if the court accepts their pleas.
A federal indictment charging the four men alleged that:
♦ Between Dec. 17, 2007, and Oct. 16, 2008, Kimm submitted and Parrish processed 27 false mileage claims totaling $47,022.
♦ Parrish conspired with Kimm and Brown to process false vehicle repair claims. In just over a year, the men submitted 21 claims totaling $105,593.
♦ Parrish wrote false invoices to Felts for work on town property that was never done.
Telephone messages seeking comment from attorneys representing Felts and Kimm were not returned on Tuesday.
Chesterfield town leaders said Tuesday they were looking forward.
“I’m glad that it’s all coming to an end,” said Town Council President Jack Taylor. “A lot of people got hurt and we’ve all got to move on.
“Hopefully a lot of people learned from this,” he said.
Like most towns and cities, Chesterfield carries performance bonds on its public officials. Taylor said the bond companies should cover some of the town’s losses once guilty pleas are affirmed by the court. “It’s not a quick process,” Taylor said.
Town Council Vice President Ron Branham said townspeople had been patient as the legal process ran its course.
“We think we’re going to be fine and come out of this thing with lessons learned,” Branham said. “Those gentlemen are going to pay a higher price than we will.
“There’s never a good outcome on those kind of deals,” he said.
Contact Dave Stafford: 648-4250, dave.stafford@heraldbulletin.com
Breaking News
Related Photos
-
Don Knight
Discussion
Last of ‘Chesterfield 4’ plead guilty
Kimm, Felts enter pleas in federal case
- Breaking News
-
-
'Halftime in America' ad creates political debate
People rarely pick a fight with Dirty Harry. But Chrysler's "Halftime in America" ad featuring quintessential tough guy Clint Eastwood has generated fierce debate about whether it accurately portrays the country's most economically distressed city or amounts to a campaign ad for President Barack Obama and the auto bailouts.
-
Parents protest at scandalized LA grade school
About 100 angry parents have marched from a Los Angeles elementary school where two teachers are suspected of molesting students in class to a nearby meeting where administrators are expected to address parents' concerns.
-
Police: Woman victim of strong-arm robbery
Police were searching for a man accused of confronting a woman and forcefully stealing her purse Monday night.
-
Indiana Democrats ask court to replace secretary of state
The Indiana Democratic Party on Monday asked the state appeals court to replace convicted Republican Secretary of State Charlie White with the Democratic candidate White defeated in the 2010 election.
-
Marion County says Santorum still off Indiana ballot
An Indiana elections official said Monday that GOP presidential contender Rick Santorum still lacks the signatures needed to make it onto the state's May primary ballot.
-
Survivors reflect on '92 plane crash in Evansville
Survivors of the 1992 crash of a military transport plane that killed 16 people and heavily damaged an Evansville restaurant and hotel are reflecting on the disaster 20 years later.
-
Two new charges for suspect in California homeless killings
A former Marine already accused of killing four homeless men was charged Monday with two new counts of murder in the stabbing deaths of his high school friend's mother and older brother.
-
US closes Syrian embassy, presses Assad to go
The U.S. closed its Syrian embassy Monday and Britain recalled its ambassador to Damascus in a dramatic escalation of Western pressure on President Bashar Assad to give up power, just days after diplomatic efforts at the United Nations to end the crisis collapsed.
-
Few answers in death of sons of missing Utah mom
Josh Powell's note was simple and short, a farewell to the world after two years of being scrutinized in the media, hammered by police and questioned by judges, prosecutors and social workers, living his life under a microscope since the day his wife vanished.
-
Wall Street opens lower as Greek talks drag on
Stocks are edging lower in early trading Monday as talks dragged on between Greek political leaders over a fresh austerity package required for the country to get more bailout loans.
- More Breaking News Headlines
-
'Halftime in America' ad creates political debate
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Few Answers in Death of Sons of Missing Utah Mom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Deadly Helicopter Crash in Australia
Raw Video: Smoke, Purported Gunfire in Syria
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
Blast Kills Husband of Missing Utah Mom, 2 Boys
Obama: US, Israel Will Work Against Iran Nukes
NJ Museum Finds 19th Century Recording
Snow Causes Disruptions in Much of Europe
Clinton: Vetoed U.N. Syria Resolution 'travesty'
Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses
Gingrich Renews Vow to Campaign Until Convention
Romney Rolls to Easy Win in Nevada GOP Caucuses
Raw Video: Missing Family Found Alive in Ore.
Police Clear Tents From Occupy Site in DC
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
