Athens —
A 56-year-old Athens man was sentenced in Tyler Wednesday to 41 months in prison for mail fraud.
U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis also ordered Mark Eugene Thomas to pay more than $2.5 million in restitution. Thomas pleaded guilty March 7 and could have received up to 20 years in prison for the offense.
Federal prosecutors say from 1998 to 2009, Thomas was employed by Argon Medical Devices, Inc. an Athens-based manufacturer and supplier of specialty medical products utilized in the areas of cardiology, radiology, and critical care.
Prosecutors said from 2004 to 2008, Thomas — while accounting manager for AMD — provided fraudulent data to AMD’s parent corporation and external auditor to make AMD appear more profitable. The deception was in order to secure additional capital investments for AMD and the payment of performance incentives for AMD employees, including Thomas. The fraudulent activity resulted in a financial loss of between $1 million and $2.5 million.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney L. Frank Coan, Jr.
Argon Vice President of Human Resources Janice Russell was contacted by the Athens Daily Review about the sentencing. She said she had no comment.
Local News
Athens man gets 41 months in prison for mail fraud
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Wet and wild
A line of severe thunderstorms roared throughout Henderson County on Tuesday afternoon, dropping significant rainfall and taking down trees and power lines.
The storm produced heavy rains in Athens, where the National Weather Service reports 2.16 inches fell. Residents in the county were seeing three or more inches in their rain gauges. -
Strong message
A Henderson County jury delivered a strong message to a 37-year-old Kemp man in the sentencing phase of a child sexual-abuse trial on Tuesday.
The jury, in Judge Mark Calhoon’s 3rd District Court, handed Danny Ray Lusk four life sentences and one 20-year sentence, the maximum jail time on each count. -
Going to ‘WAR’
A program termed “We Are Responsible” was generated this year at South Athens Elementary School by its principal, Eugene Buford.
At first reading, the slogan appears to be for the school’s students. But, after looking at the slogan and noting that the abbreviation is WAR, Buford says the slogan is for educators. -
A need that’s very easy to see
The Greater Athens Lions Club is asking for used eyeglasses, lenses, glass cases and hearing aids for the annual Lions Club White Cane Day this Saturday.
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Too close to home
It was the kind of moment any parent would dread.
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Give it to Jody!
The 50th annual Henderson County Farm and Ranch Tour concluded Tuesday with a luncheon on the floor of the Henderson County Fair Park Complex arena and the naming presentation of the Joe B. Fulgham Agriculturist of the Year.
The 25th recipient of the award was Jody Jackson of Murchison, whose farming and ranching operations started with a few cattle and some chickens then grew to one of the county’s most varied operations. -
County votes to sell old annex building
Henderson County officials on Tuesday narrowly approved contracting with an Athens realtor to list the old Courthouse Annex building for sale.
Steve Grant Real Estate was chosen to sell the property by a 3-to-2 vote. Precinct 3 Commissioner Ronny Lawrence and Precinct 4 Commissioner Ken Geeslin cast the dissenting votes. -
Burk to serve as next ACA administrator
Athens Christian Academy (Kindergarten through 6th grade) is pleased to announce Dale Burk as the new administrator beginning July 2013.
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Bullying just got tougher
To reduce the prevalence of school age bullying the Athens Independent School District has added a new communications tool called Anonymous Alerts, allowing individuals to quickly, easily and anonymously report urgent information that they may otherwise be uncomfortable revealing.
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Magnificent 7
The Athens Odd Fellow Lodge No. 961 and Athens Rebekah Lodge No. 23 has seven students who are receiving a $500 scholarship to Trinity Valley Community College for this year.
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