Ex-Wal-Mart VP to plead guilty to fraud

[SillyGoose]

WSJ: Thomas Coughlin may plead guilty to fraud and tax evasion charges, could get 2 years in prison.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - Former Wal-Mart Stores Inc. vice chairman, Thomas Coughlin, agreed to plead guilty to federal wire-fraud and tax-evasion charges later this month, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Coughlin, formerly the retailer's No. 2 executive, left the company early last year amid accusations that he misappropriated as much as $500,000 from Wal-Mart through fraudulent reimbursements and improper use of gift cards, the paper said.

Coughlin will plead guilty to five counts of wire fraud and one count of tax evasion, the Journal said citing people familiar with the matter. A court hearing on the plea deal is set for later in January.
...
Coughlin is expected claim that he was reimbursing himself for a secret scheme to fund an anti-union spy operation. But Federal prosecutors found no significant evidence that he was part of any undercover operation, the paper said.

(more at link)
http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/06/news/companies/scandal_walmart/index.htm?cnn=yes

[napi21]

1. I guess the Feds don't know about the secret spy operation because

they're not allowed to use wire taps. :grr:

[Mabus]

2. at least not against Bush supporters

http://www.city-data.com/elec/elec-CENTERTON-AR.html

Coughlin, Cynthia (Homemaker/Homemaker), (Zip code: 72719) $250 to BOOZMAN FOR CONGRESS on 07/11/03
Coughlin, Cynthia (Homemaker/Homemaker), (Zip code: 72719) $1000 to BOOZMAN FOR CONGRESS on 09/30/03
Capito, Gino (self/computer technician), (Zip code: 72719) $2000 to BOOZMAN FOR CONGRESS on 07/11/04
Coughlin, Thomas M (Wal=Mart/Vice Chairman), (Zip code: 72719) $1000 to BOOZMAN FOR CONGRESS on 09/02/04
COUGHLIN, THOMAS M. MR. (WAL-MART/VICE CHAIRMAN), (Zip code: 72719) $2000 to BUSH-CHENEY '04 (PRIMARY) INC. on 12/22/03
COUGHLIN, CYNTHIA MRS. (COUGHLIN'S RANCH/MANAGER), (Zip code: 72719) $2000 to BUSH-CHENEY '04 (PRIMARY) INC. on 02/13/04