By Antonio D. French
Filed Monday, January 29, 2007 at 3:18 PM
READ IT HERE FIRST Labels: Black_Caucus
State Representative John Bowman has been indicted, along with 16 others, on bank fraud and credit card fraud charges.
U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway announced today that Bowman and former Bank of American Vice President Robert Conner were among 17 people indicted that were allegedly recruited as borrowers in a $1.2 million bank fraud and credit card fraud scheme. Four other people, including a former Pine Lawn Police Officer and a Wentzville doctor, have previously pled guilty to related charges and await sentencing.
"Rather than assisting fledgling small businesses with lines of credit, Connor is accused of taking advantage of a well-intended program to line his own pockets," said Hanaway.
Between June 2005 and November 2006, it was part of this scheme that Conner, then a Vice President of Bank of America at its Chesterfield branch, provided the 16 co-defendants, including Bowman, an opportunity to submit false applications for small business lines of credit with Bank of America.
The lines of credit were in the form of credit cards. According to law enforcement, in exchange for approving the fraudulent credit line application Conner demanded a cash kickback payment of $2500 to $5000 from each applicant. After the fraudulent credit applications were approved by Conner, he had the credit cards sent directly to him rather than to the applicants to facilitate his receipt of cash payment kickbacks at the time he provided the card to the applicants. Typically, the first transaction on the fraudulent credit cards was a cash advance, the proceeds of which were used to pay Conner a kickback.
Borrowers fraudulently applied for credit lines in the names of various business entities, many of which did not exist as legitimate businesses. The applications contained fraudulent information such as the business entity name, its status as a legitimate business, and the amount of time the business had been in operation; the annual income of the applicant; and the gross annual revenue of the entity listed on the application. Conner knew the borrowers were not personally credit worthy at the time the false credit line applications were submitted.
A total of approximately $1,213,970 in fraudulent charges were made on cards fraudulently approved by Conner.
The 37-count indictment was returned Thursday, January 25, but remained sealed until earlier today to facilitate the arrest of defendants. They are expected to appear in federal court Monday, February 5, before United States Magistrate Thomas C. Mummert.
Indicted today:
Robert Connor, 44, 11000 block of Bristol Rock, St. Louis;
John Bowman, 50, 4200 block of Minoma, St. Louis;
Robert Baker, 52, 12000 block of Rush Creek Way, St. Louis;
William Hart, 27, 4000 block of Shenandoah, St. Louis;
DeAmon White, 26, 5900 block of Minerva, St. Louis;
Gerald Maurice Rankin, 36, 1800 block of Claudine Drive, St. Louis;
Monica Gholson, 30, 4400 block of Lee Avenue, St. Louis;
Jacqueline Green, 41, 3900 block of Salvation Road, St. Louis;
Jerry Brown, 61, 700 block of Mendocina Court, St. Louis;
Ulas Green, 39, 3900 block of Salvation Road, St. Louis;
Joanna Davis, 30, 15000 block of Debridge Way, St. Louis;
Glenda Chambers, 57, 2200 block of Colfax, St. Louis;
Lois Gholson, 54, 4400 block of Lee Avenue, St. Louis;
Regina Davidson, 49, 1900 block of Elkins, St. Louis;
Ronald Mason, 39, 1000 block of Sweepstakes Lane, St. Louis;
Karl Peters, 52, 300 block of East Olive, Royal Oaks, Illinois; and
Max Davis, 37, 15000 block of Debridge Way, St. Louis.
Besides Robert Connor, who is charged in every count of the indictment, each defendant is charged with one felony count of bank fraud and one felony count of credit card fraud. Additionally, count 37 is a forfeiture charge, wherein two of Connor’s vehicles; a 2006 Hummer and a 2006 GMC Yukon, are subject to forfeiture.
If convicted, each bank fraud count carries a maximum penalty of thirty years in prison and/or fines up to $1 million; each credit card fraud count carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000.
Four other people have pled guilty in connection with this case, and await sentencing:
Dr. Pearleatha Phillips-Washington, 40, Homeshire Drive, Wentzville;
LeMoyne G. Thomas, Jr., former Pine Lawn Police Officer, 32, Homeshire Drive, Wentzville;
Arthur Thomas Webb-Carr, 30, 11700 Clarksdale Drive, Maryland Heights; and
Angela Webb-Carr, 48, 3800 block of Park Place Est, Bridgeton.
UPDATE @ 5:55 p.m.: According to the AP, Bowman is alleged to have met with Conner at a Bank of America branch office in Chesterfield in January 2006 and submitted a fraudulent credit application in the name of Bowman Consulting.
"Bowman is accused of obtaining a $4,050 cash advance using the fraudulent credit line, and also of obtaining things in value of $1,000 during a one-year period." reports the AP.
37 Comments:
DAMN!
1/29/2007 4:29 PM
**Stunned**
1/29/2007 5:20 PM
catherine hannaway going after John Bowman? Not surprising....
She and her Republican allies just want to clear the way for one of their pro-voucher cronies to run for that senate seat. Let the smearing begin!
1/29/2007 5:21 PM
Does this have any connection to the Claire McCaskill campaign?
1/29/2007 5:22 PM
Momma alway said, "God don't like ugly!" Bowman's arrogance finally caught up with him.
1/29/2007 6:01 PM
un-freakin-believable!!!
1/29/2007 6:02 PM
Really, stop believing everything catherine hannaway says and wait for a response from the guy. And Maria is ten times Uglier, is god comming after her next?
1/29/2007 6:10 PM
since when is catherine Hannaway God?
1/29/2007 6:11 PM
What happens when a Republican US attorney brags to anyone who will listen that she is going to take a black legislator in leadership down?
a modern day lynching...
1/29/2007 6:57 PM
modern day lynching? the guy broke the law. talk about ignorant! it looks like he ruined lots of lives here.
1/29/2007 7:00 PM
The expression "God don't like Ugly" is a expression that is often used in the African American community to express that inappropriate behavior will reap its own reward. Something like Karma. It does not refer to Hanaway being God.
1/29/2007 7:17 PM
The sad truth is that he hasn't even had his day in court, but you are already sure that he has broke the law. I'm sure no one is ever accused of something they didn't do...that would never happen in America.
1/29/2007 7:20 PM
"The expression "God don't like Ugly" is a expression that is often used in the African American community to express that inappropriate behavior will reap its own reward. Something like Karma. It does not refer to Hanaway being God."
Why do people Always ASSUME i am neither African American or a woman when i post? could it be you couldnt see the humor in someone suggesting that this accusation is the work of god, karma, or whatever cosmic force, and not that of petty human beings.
just a tip, you cant tell the race, knowledge of culture, or sex of an anonymous poster without it being stated.
1/29/2007 8:27 PM
That's right..keep covering for the accused based on race..that's the MLK spirit! "If you're black you can't be guilty". Yep. That's what MLK fought for alright. You thug posters make me sick.
And hey, Antonio, you think if the perp was a Republican State Rep you would have mentioned his party affiliation? Or do the thugs finally have you as their bitch afterall?
1/29/2007 10:16 PM
The Thugs own Antonio's ass. Can't you tell?
1/29/2007 10:18 PM
I always knew he wasn't what he tried to make himself out to be. Strange how some people do WHATEVER it takes to claw their way to the top. How sad.
1/29/2007 11:04 PM
Anonymous said: "Antonio, you think if the perp was a Republican State Rep you would have mentioned his party affiliation? Or do the thugs finally have you as their bitch afterall?"
To Anony #1 and Anony #2 who posted 2 minutes later, I'm sure I posted more information about today's events than anyone else, sooner than anyone else.
It's funny. One month I'm accused of being too hard on my fellow Democrats. The next month I'm accused of being too easy on them.
One minute I'm a closet Republican. The next minute I'm a Democratic whore.
It's enough to make a man hate the game.
1/29/2007 11:45 PM
The Facts of the matter is they committed a crime. They will have there day in court. Then there days walking the yard. There goes the Social statue. They are now all criminals.
1/30/2007 2:51 AM
I'm wondering how much longer will it be before Floyd Irons is charged with mortgage loan fraud?
1/30/2007 5:14 AM
Thank you for honest reporting. It's too bad, as these comments illustrate, too many only want spin and more power for undue influence. It reflects poorly on the culture and attittudes here.
1/30/2007 8:59 AM
If the man is guilty then the color of his skin and party affiliation should not matter. Antonio great job on reporting this story. The bigger question is how far does this go? How corrupt are our politicians? Why don't we vote for the better candidates instead of simply voting party or color. Lacy Clay is the classic example. What has he ever done in six years to deserve our vote. He is black and a democrat and that is all we care about. Isn't that sad.
1/30/2007 10:02 AM
Miss the part in our state constitution where we recognize Napoleonic law.
A trial has not happened therefore, it is an alleged crime. John was Accused, not Guilty. And even more so, there is not one shred of evidence that has been released to the press, just circumstantial BS.
Who cares his race, He is still a citizen and deserves the same rights of due process.
1/30/2007 1:27 PM
I am a white democratic female...(just because this seems to be so important in this BLOG)
get off your fucking computers and actually knock on some doors to get someone that you want elected, rather than talk shit on people that are already elected. And if ANY of you knew John Bowman and what he does for his community then maybe you wouldn't be so quick to get on him about this bullshit, OR claire for that matter.
Hmmm... I wonder what is more important....?
rebuilding the community in his district, bringing economic development to the area, and giving young people of color the oppurtunity to work in politics and get paid...... OR.... ALLEGEDLY ripping off a multi-billion dollar BOA.
unbelievable.
1/30/2007 3:57 PM
Remember that Bowman took part in the scheme.... he wasn't the originator or planner (not that it makes it any better ) seems there were 17 others who couldn't resist "something for nothing either"......hmmm wonder who this former Bank of America vice presidents inside man/woman was? And that sucks with his sons picture initailly being thrown around when the story broke (they share the same name)
1/30/2007 5:33 PM
It hurts me greatly to see this indictment. It just goes to prove you can't judge the book by its cover.
1/30/2007 10:02 PM
Glad to hear there are some other voices holding off on this rush to judgement... for the record, I'm a white woman from Hanaway's district, and wouldn't trust her with anything. She is smart enough to see an opportunity to take down a promising leader in the opposition party--it doesn't mean we have to encourage her to do it.
1/30/2007 10:36 PM
I wonder how many other people got one of these business credit cards and their first transaction was for cash? Are they suspect also? What's a fraudulent credit application? Forgetting to put a loan down? Accidentally putting the wrong account number down? Rounding off your estimated gross income? Is it just as coincidental that this judge is Hanaway? Everyone should wait until the facts come out and not assume.
1/30/2007 11:25 PM
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
1/31/2007 8:47 AM
I'm very sorry to hear this story. Robert was a nice person with a good family. It is a shame that he went so wrong. All for a hummer!!!!!
1/31/2007 4:14 PM
Anon #8,
You obviously do your own race NO JUSTICE! What an ignoramus?! We didn't call it a conspiracy when Abramoff was indicted. Everytime somebody Black gets in trouble; someone wants to scream Race, race, race. But it's really Crime, crime, crime.
In the words of my wonderful mayor Francis Slay--its a shame, a damn shame.
Now you know. Why? Because Sally Says So!
1/31/2007 5:30 PM
sally...
just shut your mouth.
you don't even know John Bowman.
1/31/2007 7:19 PM
Everyone should know that there is nothing "black and white" about the law (pun intended). Just because something is printd in the paper or said on the news doesn't make it true. Law enforcement uses blackmail, coercion, and force to get defendants to plea so that prosecutors don't have to go to the "trouble" of a trial. Some of these people were approached by the secret service and willingly provided information honestly not realizing they had committed a crime. Then that cooperation was used to persecute, uh I mean, prosecute them. What if the numbers that were falsified on the application were not even in their handwriting and put on the application AFTER they submitted it? Does anyone question how a African American working in a small BOA branch in Chesterfield suddenly became a VICE_PRESIDENT?
2/01/2007 12:11 AM
Whoever thought that the BOA Chesterfield was a small branch, doesn't know that bank. Also, Conner probaly had the credentials to be a VP, who cares if he is black, white, or purple. What he did was wrong, and he had to know the laws to be in that position. I happen to know Dr. Washington, that plead guilty, and I truly feel sorry for her. I believe she probaly took "bad" advice and got caught in a bad situation. The one that should have known better is the banker, and a politican should also know the laws. No EXCUSE!
2/05/2007 9:31 PM
I know John and don't believe for a minute he did anything illegal.
What did the story say he charged? Like 5 grand? I know John did break the law, risk his job and career for 5 grand.
4/20/2007 6:23 PM
The above post should have said I know he didn't break the law for 5 grand.
4/20/2007 6:24 PM
Well, Conner was convicted big time. So were his cronies, some of whom admitted what they did. So much for going after innocent people. Heh. Guilty as charged.
12/01/2007 12:18 PM
you all need too quit judging conner white people always set blacks up for what goes wrong the cards were sent to the bank so they can get activate because of the limit was on their who's to say he was at work when the cards came back.
2/08/2008 1:42 PM
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