Bluestem has been following developments in the Bixby Energy fraud case, but we missed two new developments last month.
In mid-June, the Pioneer Press reported that Feds add charges to Bixby Energy founder Bob Walker:
Walker, 69, was charged Tuesday, June 19, in U.S. District Court with what is called a "superseding indictment" that allows the U.S. Attorney to add on to a lone conspiracy charge filed Dec. 20 regarding Ramsey-based Bixby. . . .
In the new indictment, Walker was charged with nine counts of mail fraud, five counts of wire fraud, four counts of securities fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
December's single count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud also was updated and technically becomes a new charge as well. . . .
Read the article for complete details. On Thursday, the PiPress reported that Walker had entered a non-guilty plea for all 20 charges.
Reached by phone by Bluestem, a spokesman for the Security and Exchange Commission's Chicago office, which investigated the case, said that the SEC's civil case has been delayed, pending the resolution of the criminal charges.
The investigation and charges have drawn public attention because of the high profile of board members like former CD1 congressman Gil Gutknecht, who is credited with raising questions about the corporation's management. Minnesota representatives Mary Kiffmeyer, Michael Beard and Diane Lohmer invested in the firm.
Begun as a company offering systems that heated buildings with corn fuelstock, the corporation foundered when it moved into development of coal-gasification technology. The technology never quite delivered anything.
Related posts: Beard, Lohmer & Kiffmeyer acumen pays off with investment in Bixby Energy Systems securities
Are lights out on "clean coal" Bixby Energy (and MN Republican House members' investments)?
Choosing one's companions: Gil goes from John Wayne Gacy to outing Bixby fraudsters
CEO's departure, Federal probes dirty Gutknecht's clean coal adventure
Image: The promise of clean coal delivered little beyond this spiffy artist's rendition via Finance and Commerce.
Comments