Thursday, July 10, 2014

Pleas begin in alleged Logan County kickback scheme

One of the ten people charged in connection with an alleged kickback scheme in Logan County will be sentenced in October for filing a false tax return.

Gary Roeher, 52, of Holden, plead guilty Wednesday to filing a false tax return.

Federal prosecutors alleged Roeher deducted $43,000 as a business expense for his company on his tax return but instead used the money to build a pool at his house.  He could be sentenced to up to three years in prison.

In addition to Roeher, nine other people, including four former employees at Arch Coal's Mountain Laurel Mining Complex, are scheduled to plead guilty this month and next month to charges connected to a scheme that involved taking or paying more than $2 million for contract work at the mine site.

David Runyon, a former general manager is among those charged.  He's accused of extortion and tax evasion.  His plea hearing is scheduled for August 7.