Kentucky Men Convicted of E-rate Fraud

Two Kentucky men pled guilty to a "decade long scheme to defraud" the FCC's E-rate program, said a DOJ news release Tuesday. Charles Jones pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and Mark Whitaker pled guilty to misprision on wire fraud. Evidence presented by U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz showed Jones "paid kickbacks to an E-rate consultant working with the Missouri and Tennessee schools involved in this case." Evidence presented also showed Whitaker "made false statements and submitted fabricated documents" about copays and bidding process. "Protection of federal grant programs that provide needed services and equipment to our schools in West Tennessee is a top priority of this office," Ritz said.