A former accountant for Hillandale Farms was indicted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 3, following federal charges that allege the man embezzled $6.8 million from the egg producer.
Jonathan A. Weston, 57, of Canonsburg, was indicted by a federal grand jury following accusations of a money-laundering scheme that funneled the stolen money through several businesses he owned across the state. These businesses include Katie’s Kandies retail candy stores, a self-service car wash and a real estate holding company called Cougar Holdings, reported Trib Total Media.
Weston also neglected to file tax returns in 2015 and 2018 and filed false returns in the years 2016 and 2017, the indictment said.
The stolen money was used by Weston to purchase collectible cars, real-estate, high-end dining and travel, as well as to make payments for his children’s college education.
Weston and a co-conspirator, a former bookkeeper and secretary for Hillandale Farms, embezzled the money between October 2005 and January 2019. There is currently no news on whether the co-conspirator, who was cited but not named in the indictment, will face charges.
The May 25 indictment, which was unsealed following Weston’s arrest, includes one count of fraud conspiracy, one count of money laundering conspiracy, two counts of willful failure to file tax returns and two counts of filing false income tax returns. If convicted of all charges, Weston faces a maximum total sentence of 58 years in prison and a fine of $2.5 million.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is in charge of prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
Hillandale Farms did not respond to a WATTPoultry.com request for comment.
Hillandale Farms is the fourth largest egg producer in the U.S., with more than 20 million layer flocks according to the Egg Industry Top Companies Special Report. Along with eggs, the company also offers butter, cheese, meat and breads.
