March 28, 2008
For Immediate Release

HANNIBAL AREA MAN INDICTED ON FEDERAL FRAUD CHARGES CONNECTED TO HIS ANTIQUE WOOD BUSINESSES

St. Louis, MO: Scott Rigg was indicted on mail and wire fraud charges connected to a scheme to sell antique wood, which he allegedly never delivered, United States Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway announced today.

“The indictment alleges that Mr. Rigg caused seven people to lose $42,305 in deposits and payments for antique wood that he never delivered,” said Hanaway.

According to the indictment, between January 2004 and August 2007, Rigg was owner of three businesses, Coffee Creek Antique Flooring, LLC, Tri State Antique Flooring and Midwest Flooring, which advertised and sold antique wood from Marion County.  The indictment alleges that between January 2006 and August 2007, Rigg told various individuals that he had antique wood for sale and demanded deposits before delivery.  He repeatedly promised those customers that their product was about to be shipped; he sometimes demanded complete payment before shipment; he sometimes lied about whether the shipments had actually occurred.  Seven people mailed checks or wired funds to Rigg, expecting delivery of the antique wood.  According the indictment, Rigg did not deliver the wood.

SCOTT RIGG , Philadelphia, Missouri, was indicted by a federal grand jury in St. Louis on two felony counts of wire fraud and five felony counts of mail fraud.

If convicted, each count of mail and wire fraud carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000.

Hanaway commended the work performed on the case by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Assistant United States Attorney Carrie Costantin, who is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.