By Dan Modlin/AP
Bowling Green, KY – A Metcalfe County Grand Jury has indicted four people in connection with a check-kiting scheme that led to losses of more than 840 thousand dollars by 172 Kentucky cattle producers. Authorities say those losses took place late last year. The indictments follow a nine-month investigation by Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway's Department of Criminal Investigations.
The four indicted individuals are 71 year old Tommy Gibson, 59 year old Steve McDonald, and 48 year old Grant Gibson of Lanesville, Indiana. 43 year old Darren Brangers of Louisville was also charged in the case. The men worked for the now defunct Eastern Livestock, LLC.
The U-S Department of Agriculture says the New Albany, Indiana-based company may owe ranchers across the country a total of 130 million dollars.