Mableton Man Faces Federal Charges Arising Out of Home Depot Kickback Scheme

Update: Ian Jay Evans was found NOT GUILTY August 25, 2010.
Case 1:09-cr-00449-RWS-RGV Document 93 Filed 08/25/10 Page 1 of 1
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
ATLANTA DIVISION
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
v.
IAN JAY EVANS,
Defendant.
::::::::
CRIMINAL ACTION NO.
1:09-CR-0449-RWS
JUDGMENT AND ORDER OF DISCHARGE
The Jury having returned a verdict of not guilty as to all of the charges in
the Indictment, it is hereby ORDERED and ADJUDGED that Defendant Ian
Jay Evans is not guilty of the charges in the Indictment and is hereby
DISCHARGED from all obligations arising from this case.
SO ORDERED this 25th day of August, 2010.


-----------

IAN JAY EVANS, 49, of Mableton, Georgia, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and 17 additional counts of money laundering, related to bribes that he allegedly paid to a high-level Home Depot employee. EVANS was arraigned today by United States Magistrate Judge E. Clayton Scofield, III.

IRS Special Agent In Charge Reginael D. McDaniel said, “IRS Criminal Investigation will continue to commit financial expertise to unravel illegal schemes. Our role is to trace the ill-gotten monies to the individuals ultimately responsible for the crime.”

According to Acting United States Attorney Yates, the indictment and information presented in court: From approximately June 2002 through approximately May 2005, EVANS, a former Product Merchant for Home Depot, who left the company in February 2001, paid more than $1.4 million in kickbacks to RONALD DOUGLASS MATHENY II, 49, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, who was, at the time, a Product Merchant at Home Depot. In exchange for the kickbacks he received from EVANS, MATHENY arranged for Home Depot to purchase items through EVANS for resale in Home Depot’s retail stores on less than the most advantageous terms to Home Depot, and to have EVANS supply services to Home Depot and its suppliers on less than the most advantageous terms to Home Depot.

MATHENY was charged in a Criminal Information and pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering in relation to this kickback scheme on May 19, 2009. MATHENY is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Richard W. Story on December 3, 2009, at 9:30 a.m.

EVANS could receive a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on the conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on the conspiracy to commit money laundering. In addition, EVANS could receive a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on each of the substantive money-laundering counts. EVANS also could be fined up to $250,000 on each count. In determining the actual sentence, the Court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders.

Members of the public are reminded that the indictment against EVANS contains only allegations. EVANS is presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government's burden to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

Anyone with information on corporate kickbacks and fraud is asked to call the FBI at 404-679-9000.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia