Deal means companies off the hook in beef fiasco
In the settlement signed Aug. 15, but just made public, prosecutors and The Facility Group say they came to terms to avoid the trouble of “possible protracted litigation” over the government’s claims.
The Facility Group, the umbrella name for four Smyrna companies, was hired in 2003 by the state to consult and manage construction of the Yalobusha facility.
This past spring, TFG and three company executives were indicted by a federal grand jury on 16 counts of illegal acts related to the plant project.
The settlement money reflects “disputed claims” in what TFG billed for its work, the motion for dismissal notes.
This apparently ends the legal troubles of the company, which is known for its political connections and public works projects in Georgia.
Last week, three of its executives pleaded guilty to lesser charges, with government recommendations for prison sentences.
Two of them – Robert Moultrie and Nixon Cawood – pleaded guilty to making an illegal gratuity of $25,000 to the 2003 re-election campaign of then-Gov. Ronnie Musgrove. At that stage, they knew the project was in trouble and admitted they intended to call on Musgrove for help, if they needed it.
NE MS Daily Journal
8/24/8
Magnolia Tribune
