Tuesday, December 6, 2022, 12:08 pm News Flash Archive

As first reported by Jackson Jambalaya, John Coleman was indicted and arrested this morning for his role in the collapse and bankruptcy of Express Grain.

The indictment was handed down on November 29th. It may be seen here: Indictment of John Coleman

The indictment was obtained by the Mississippi Attorney General's office.

It alleges four counts of making false statements and providing falsified documents to the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce. The counts relate to the falsification of the 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 audit reports that Coleman submitted to MDAC in order to renew the grain warehouse and dealer licenses for Express Grain. See our previous reporting here: Mississippi Department of Agriculture VOIDS Express Grain warehouse licenses due to fraud

The fifth count against Coleman is of making false statements and providing falsified documents to the Mississippi Development Authority to obtain a $750,000 grant. See our previous reporting here: MDA sues bankrupt Express Grain, claims falsified audit reports were submitted to obtain $750,000 grant

The sixth count alleges that John Coleman

... did willfully, unlawfully, and feloniously, with intent to cheat or defraud another, designedly, by color of false pretense, obtain from any person personal property and valuable thing[sic], with a value of Five Hundred Dollars or more, to wit: Defendant John Coleman did induce farmers to deliver and store their crops with Express Grain using false and fraudulent representations and thereafter sold and pledged their crops and failed to remit payments to the farmers in an amount exceeding $50,000,000....

According to the circuit clerk's office, Mr. Coleman posted bond and has been released from the county jail.

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To read all our coverage of the Express Grain bankruptcy case, see here: Index of Express Grain articles

John Pittman Hey
The Taxpayers Channel

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