The Topeka Capital Journal reports:
A Kansas businessman who served as president of the Livestock Marketing Association has been indicted for wire fraud involving cattle transactions, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.
Randall Patterson, 62, of Anthony, was charged with 14 counts of wire fraud in a scheme involving his ownership and management of Anthony Livestock Co. in Harper County.
The indictment resulting from an FBI inquiry alleged Patterson caused sale barns to issue invoices falsely inflating prices his company paid for cattle at auction. Anthony Livestock allegedly faxed invoices to businesses, including partner JBS Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, recording elevated amounts Anthony Livestock paid for cattle.
Federal prosecutors said Patterson had an agreement to buy cattle at Kansas and Oklahoma sale barns for JBS Five Rivers at a price that included the cost of the cattle, freight and health fees and a commission of 50 cents per hundredweight.
If convicted, Patterson could be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 on each fraud count.
Patterson led the Livestock Marketing Association as president from 2004 to 2006. The organization, based in Kansas City, Mo., serves as an advocate for the livestock auction markets on state and federal regulatory issues.
Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS
