BEAUMONT, Texas - From U.S. Attorney's Office - Two Hardin County, Texas men have been indicted and charged with theft of federal program funds in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.
Tony Lynn Thornton, Sr., 51, and Anthony Welborn Jones, 51, both of Kountze, Texas, were indicted on Nov. 28, 2012, and charged with one count of conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and two counts of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. Thornton is also charged with seven counts of bank fraud. Thornton appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Giblin for an initial appearance. Jones has already had an initial appearance
According to the 10-count indictment, which was unsealed today in federal court, Thornton was executive director/chairman of the Hardin County Disaster Recovery Alliance (HCDRA), and controlled and operated the HCDRA residential repair and renovation program following Hurricane Rita's impact on the Texas Gulf Coast on Sep. 24, 2005. Jones controlled and operated Dependable Maintenance and Construction (Dependable), a residential building/contracting business he operated out of his home. Dependable was contracted to do home repair and renovations for HCDRA. Thornton also owned County Seat Lumber Company, a lumber yard and store in Kountze, Texas, that sold building materials to HCDRA, Jones and other contractors that were employed by HCDRA. Between January 2007 and June 2008, Thornton and Jones are alleged to have conspired to defraud HCDRA by obtaining payment for repairs to houses that Jones did not complete. Jones is alleged to have submitted fraudulent invoices to Thornton, who in turn would use his position as executive director to obtain payment from HCDRA for Jones by falsely representing that the work was done as billed and securing payment for Jones. County Seat Lumber Company then received payment from Jones and HCDRA for building materials that Thornton falsely represented were used for HCDRA renovated homes. Additionally, Thornton is alleged to have created a fictitious vendor file for HCDRA in order to pay his wife's credit card bills.
If convicted, Thornton and Jones each face up to five years in federal prison for the conspiracy charge and up to 10 years for each of the theft charges. Thornton also faces up to 30 years in federal prison for each of the bank fraud charges.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph R. Batte.
A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Feds issue news release about hurricane fraud indictments
Related Stories
- More Texas News
- National News
- International News
- Lawmaker resurrects radioactive water bill
- Man pleads guilty in Picasso vandalism case
- Officials link E. coli outbreak to restaurant
- Divorce clause keeps lesbians from living together
- Man convicted of killing sons scheduled to testify
- Longview officer fatally shoots fleeing suspect
- Texas mother worried about torture, traffickers
- Texas district that axed sports may get new life
- Texas search team to help after Okla. twister
- Longview police officer, suspect injured in chase
- 2 more reports of anti-gay attacks in NYC
- APNewsBreak: Coast Guardsman admits desertion
- House GOP panel moves on deep budget cuts
- McKeon: State didn't ask for help before Benghazi
- Pentagon wants $450M for Guantanamo prison
- Feds halt data cull for State Dept terror report
- Central and North Texas under tornado watch into evening hours
- Man pleads guilty in Picasso vandalism case
- Fort Jackson commander facing adultery charges
- Hospitals treat hundreds after Oklahoma tornado
- Toronto mayor avoids questions about crack video
- Brazil party challenges ruling on gay marriage
- The pope and the devil: Is Francis an exorcist?
- Gay marriage bill clears UK House of Commons
- Brazil commission says abusers could be tried
- Gandhi's 'blood sample' fails to sell in Britain
- Algerian president leaves Paris military hospital
- Thousands of women protest death in Togo
- 2 Moroccans tried for homosexuality get 4 months
- Pope expresses solidarity with tornado survivors
Automotive
Find valuable information about buying your next car, including price quotes and your latest automotive news.
Wedding Central
The greatest Southeast Texas story ever told. Share your wedding and engagement news!
Lost and Found Pets
These are pets that have been lost or found in the KFDM News Channel 6 viewing area.
No Text Zone
Texting While Driving Kills Thousands of People Each Year. Many More are Seriously Injured. You Can Help Make Our Roads a NO TEXT ZONE
Texas Lottery
Texas Lottery
Community Calendar
Check out our Community Calendar!
Baby Talk
Baby Talk with Nicole Murray.
KFDM Channel 6 Top Stories
Business News
Consumer News
BC-US--Dow Record-Three Personal Stories, 1st Ld-Writethru,1173
Dow Record: Three tales of ups, downs and changes
AP Photo FX102, FX103
Eds: With BC-US--Dow Record. Adds photos.
By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- When the Dow first crossed 14,000, investors were overjoyed. ...
Entertainment News
"DANCING WITH THE STARS"
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Zendaya or Kellie Pickler will be winning the mirrorball trophy.
Get This
GW-GYM FLOOR
WASHINGTON (AP) -- George Washington University students will soon be walking all over the White House and the Capitol, too.
Science/Tech News
IN THE NEWS: iPHONE RECOVERED AFTER THEFT IN OREGON
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) -- A smartphone, plus a not-so-smart criminal -- equals an arrest in Oregon.

