Former Chief Financial Officer Indicted for Wire Fraud

LITTLE ROCK—Christopher R. Thyer, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced that Andrew Thurman Melton, age 66, of Roland, Arkansas, made his initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge J. Thomas Ray this morning on 12 counts of wire fraud. Melton pled not guilty. Melton is not detained.

Melton was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday, February 6, 2013. If convicted on these charges, each count carries a statutory penalty of no more than 20 years’ incarceration and/or a fine of $250,000.

According to the indictment, Melton was the chief financial officer for ThermoEnergy Corporation. Melton’s wages were supposed to be garnished as a result of a judgment against him personally. However, Melton allegedly caused checks to be issued from ThermoEnergy to pay the judgment and expensed those payments on ThermoEnergy’s financials as if the payments were legitimate business expenses of the company. The indictment alleges that between in or about August 2006 and April 2009, through this scheme, he obtained approximately $109,575.80.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jana Harris.

An indictment contains only allegations and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.