{Charleston, West Virginia}...Jonathan Shaffer, 33, and Tiffany Shaffer, 24, both of Charleston, Bryan P. Javins, 34, and Jeanette Boggs, 58, both of Nitro, each pleaded guilty Tuesday to felony mail fraud in connection with a scheme to illegally obtain money through fraudulent claims that were submitted to American Electric Power Service Corporation, Inc., resulting in a total of nearly $600,000. The defendants admitted they colluded with 47 year old Deborah Farmer of Winfield, a former AEP property damage claims adjuster, to unlawfully obtain money from AEP by submitting fraudulent claims for power surge damage. Farmer pleaded guilty in April to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, admitting she arranged the scheme and conspired with others. Two other co-defendants, Julia Washington and Freda Bradshaw, have also pleaded guilty to their role in the scheme and await sentencing. Each defendant faces a possible 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when sentenced August 16th. All defendants agreed to pay restitution.
