back
to top
INDICTMENT
THE GRAND JURY CHARGES:
Count 1
(Mail Fraud)
A. Introduction
At all times relevant to the indictment:
1) John P. Maison a/k/a Paul J. Markowitz became the Treasurer
of the National
Korean War Veterans Association on or about August 8, 1994.
2) The National Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA) was
a non-profit
organization established for members of the United States Armed
Services that
served during the Korean War.
3) An Executive Council consisting of eighteen members direct
and operate
KWVA. The Executive Council includes the Treasurer. Under the
by-laws of the
KWVA, Executive Council members do not receive any salary and
can receive
reimbursements for only approved expenses
4) "Scheme, " as is used in this Indictment, means
a plan or course of action
intended to deceive another and to deprive another of something
of value by
means of false pretenses, representations, or promises
B. The Scheme to Defraud
5) From on or about August 8, 1994, through on or about March
31, 1997, in
St. Clair County, within the Southern District of Illinois,
and elsewhere,
JOHN P. MAISON,
a/k/a PAUL J. MARKOWITZ,
the defendant, herein did devise a scheme to defraud the National
Korean War
Veterans Association (KWVA) of in excess of $240,000.
6) As Treasurer, Maison had sole control over KWVA's finances
(checking
accounts, certificates of deposits, and credit cards, among
others) and
exercised sole signatory authority.
7) While acting in his capacity as Treasurer of the non-profit
organization,
Maison used his position to embezzle and misappropriate KWVA
funds for his
own personal benefit.
8) To bolster his standing within the association and garner
trust within its
membership, Maison made numerous false statements regarding
his military
record and accomplishments during the Korean War. Maison, contrary
to many of
his statements, was actually discharged from military service
in other than
honorable conditions in January of 1953.
9) Although aware that he was not entitled to compensation,
he nonetheless
utilized checks, credit cards and other funds of KWVA to pay
his own personal
credit cards, deposit funds directly into his own personal
accounts, and
purchase items utilizing KWVA credit cards and KWVA checks.
Items purchased
for his own use utilizing KWVA credit cards and checks included
such things
as audio visual equipment, jewelry, airline tickets, magazine
subscriptions
and a pornographic video tape.
10) In furtherance of the scheme, Maison concealed from other
members of the
Executive Board a financial report completed in October of
1994, by a
certified public accountant, that was critical of the inherent
weakness of
the KWVA's financial internal controls, in that the Treasurer
had sole
control over all financial matter.
11) Maison's total and unabated control over the financial
dealings of the
KWVA continued until on or about February of 1997, when a KWVA
accountant
discovered his fraudulent activities. Maison had told the accountant
that a
check for $5,000 written on August 8, 1996 for cash, was used
to pay a
convention bill at the Adams Mark Hotel in St. Louis. The accountant
later
discovered that the bill was actually paid by a KWVA credit
card and that the
$5,000 check had been deposited into Maison's personal checking
account.
THE MAILING
12) On or about March 13, 1996, in the Southern District of
Illinois, the
defendant,
JOHN P. MAISON
a/k/a PAUL J. MARKOWITZ,
mailed or caused to be mailed, matter in the form of a video
tape, through a
private and commercial carrier, to wit: United Parcel Service,
to be
delivered according to the directions thereon, as set forth
below:
Date:
3/5/96
From:
Caballero Video
5632 Van Nuys BLVD.
Van Nuys, CA 91401
To:
Korean War Veterans
10306 Lincoln Trail
Fairview Heights, IL 62208
All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections
1341 and 2.
back to top COUNT 2
(Mail Fraud)
The grand jury alleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs
1 through
11 as if fully set forth in this count.
THE MAILING
13) On or about December 8, 1996, in the Southern District
of Illinois, the
defendant,
JOHN P. MAISON,
a/k/a PAUL J. MARKOWITZ,
mailed or caused to be mailed, matter in the form of an envelope
containing a
check drawn upon a KWVA bank account, and other related documents,
through an
authorized depository for mail matter for delivery by the United
States
Postal Service, to be delivered according to the directions
thereon, as set
forth below:
Date:
12/8/96
From:
KWVA
117 Mark Drive
Fairview Heights, EL 62208
To:
Capital One Bank
P.O. Box 85547
Richmond, Virginia 23285
All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections
1341 and 2.
back to top
COUNT 3
(Mail Fraud)
The grand jury realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs
1 through 11 as if fully set forth in this count.
THE MAILING
14) On or about August 7, 1996, in the Southern District of
Illinois, the defendant,
JOHN P. PAISON,
a/k/a PAUL J. MARKOWITZ,
mailed or caused to be mailed, matter in the form of an envelope
containing a check drawn upon a KWVA bank account, and other
related documents, through an authorized depository for mail
matter for delivery by the United States Postal Service, to
be delivered according to the directions thereon, as set forth
below:
Date: 8/7/96
From: KWVA, 117 Mark Drive, Fairview Heights, IL 62208
To: Capital One Bank, P.O. Box 85547, Richmond, VA 23285
All
in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1341
and 2. back to top
COUNT 4
(Mail Fraud)
The grand jury realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs
1 through 11 as if fully set forth in this count.
THE MAILING
15) On or about January 9, 1996, in the Southern District
of Illinois, the defendant,
JOHN P. MAISON,
a/k/a PAUL J. MARKOWITZ,
mailed or caused to be mailed, matter in the form of an envelope
containing a check drawn upon a KWVA bank account, and other
related documents, through an authorized depository for mail
matter for delivery by the United States Postal Service, to
be delivered according to the directions thereon, as set forth
below:
Date: 1/9/96
From: KWVA, 117 Mark Drive, Fairview Heights, IL 62208
To: Capital One Bank, P.O. Box 85547, Richmond, VA 23285
All
in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1341
and 2. back
to top
COUNT 5
(Mail Fraud)
The grand jury realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs
1 through 11 as if fully set forth in this count.
THE MAILING
16) On or about December 23, 1996, in the Southern District
of Illinois, the defendant,
JOHN P. MAISON,
a/k/a PAUL J. MARKOWITZ,
mailed or caused to be mailed, matter in the form of an envelope
containing a check drawn upon a KWVA bank account, and other
related documents, through an authorized depository for mail
matter for delivery by the United States Postal Service, to
be delivered according to the directions thereon, as set forth
below:
Date: 12/23/96
From: KWVA, 117 Mark Drive, Fairview Heights, IL 62208
To: Card Services Center, P.O. Box 2926, Milwaukee, WI 53201
All
in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1341
and 2. back
to top
COUNT 6
(Mail Fraud)
The grand jury realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs
1 through 11 as if fully set forth in this count.
THE MAILING
17) On or about July 1, 1996, in the Southern District of
Illinois, the defendant,
JOHN P. MAISON,
a/k/a PAUL J. MARKOWITZ,
mailed or caused to be mailed, matter in the form of an envelope
containing a check drawn upon a KWVA bank account, and other
related documents, through an unauthorized depository for mail
matter for delivery by the United States Postal Service, to
be delivered according to the directions thereon, as set forth
below:
Date: 7/1/96
From: KWVA, 117 Mark Drive, Fairview Heights, IL 62208
To: Card Services Center, P.O. Box 2926, Milwaukee, WI 53201
All
in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sectins 1341
and 2. back
to top
COUNT 7
(Mail Fraud)
The grand jury realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs
1 through 11 as if fully set forth in this count.
THE MAILING
18) On or about June 17, 1996, in the Southern District of
Illinois, the defendant,
JOHN P. MAISON,
a/k/a PAUL J. MARKOWITZ,
mailed or caused to be mailed, matter in the form of an envelope
containing a check drawn upon a KWVA bank account, and other
related documents, through an authorized depository for mail
matter for delivery by the Untied States Postal Service, to
be delivered according to the directions thereon, as set forth
below:
Date: 6/17/96
From: KWVA, 117 Mark Drive, Fairview Heights, IL 62208
To: Card Services Center, P.O. Box 2926, Milwaukee, WI 53201
All
in violation of Title 18, United States code, Sections 1341
and 2. back to top
COUNT 8
(Mail Fraud)
The grand jury realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs
1 through 11 as if fully set forth in this count.
THE MAILING
19) On or about March 8, 1996, in the Southern District of
Illinois, the defendant,
JOHN P. MAISON,
a/k/a PAUL J. MARKOWITZ,
mailed or caused to be mailed, matter in the form of an envelope
containing a check drawn upon a KWVA bank account, and other
related documents, through an authorized depository for mail
matter for delivery by the United States Postal Service, to
be delivered according to the directions thereon, as set forth
below:
'Date: 3/8/96
From: KWVA, 117 Mark Drive, Fairview Heights, IL 62208
To: Card Services Center, P.O. Box 2926, Milwaukee, WI 53201
All
in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1341
and 2. back to top
COUNT 9
(Mail Fraud)
The grand jury realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs
1 through 11 as if fully set forth in this count.
THE MAILING
20) On or about February 13, 1996, in the Southern District
of Ililnois, the defendant,
JOHN P. MAISON,
a/k/a PAUL J. MARKOWITZ,
mailed or caused to be mailed, matter in the form of an envelope
containing a check drawn upon a KWVA bank account, and other
related documents, through an authorized depository for mail
matter for delivery by the United States Postal Service, to
be delivered according to the directions thereon, as set forth
below:
Date: 2/13/96
From: KWVA, 117 Mark Drive, Fairview Heights, IL 62208
To: Card Services Center, P.O. Box 2926, Milwaukee, WI 53201
All
in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1341
and 2. back to top
COUNT 10
(Mail Fraud)
The grand jury realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs
1 through 11 as if fully set forth in this count.
THE MAILING
21) On or about January 11, 1996, in the Southern District
of Illinois, the defendent,
JOHN P. MAISON,
a/k/a PAUL J. MARKOWITZ,
mailed or caused to be mailed, matter in the form of an envelope
containing a check drawn upon a KWVA bank account, and other
related documents, through an authorized depository for mail
matter for delivery by the United States Postal Service, to
be delivered according to the directions thereon, as set forth
below:
Date: 1/11/96
From: KWVA, 117 Mark Drive, Fairview Heights, IL 62208
To: Card Services Center, P.O. Box 2926, Milwaukee, WI 53201
All
in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1341
and 2. back to top
COUNT 11
(Mail Fraud)
The grand jury realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs
1 through 11 as if fully set forth in this count.
THE MAILING
22) On or about August 6, 1996, in the Southern District of
Illinois, the defendant,
JOHN P. MAISON,
a/k/a PAUL J. MARKOWITZ,
mailed or caused to be mailed, matter in the form of an envelope
containing a check drawn upon a KWVA bank account, and other
related documents, through an authorized depository for mail
matter for delivery by the United States Postal Service, to
be delivered according to the directions thereon, as set forth
below:
Date: 8/6/96
From: KWVA, 117 Mark Drive, Fairview Heights, IL 62208
To: Sam’s Club, P.O. Box 660337, Dept. 49, Dallas, TX
75266
All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections
1341 and 2.
back to top
COUNT 12
(Mail Fraud)
The grand jury realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs
1 through 11 as if fully set forth in this count.
THE MAILING
23) On or about August 5, 1996, in the Southern District of
Illinois, the defendant,
JOHN P. MAISON,
a/k/a PAUL J. MARKOWITZ,
mailed or caused to be mailed, matter in the form of an envelope
containing a check drawn upon a KWVA bank account, and other
related documents, through an authorized depository for mail
matter for delivery by the United States Postal Service, to
be delivered according to the directions thereon, as set forth
below:
Date: 8/5/96
From: KWVA, 117 Mark Drive, Fairview Heights, IL 62208
To: Sam’s Club, P.O. Box 660337, Dept. 49, Dallas, TX
75266
All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections
1341 and 2.
back to top
COUNT 13
(Wire Fraud)
The grand jury realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs
1 through 11 as if fully set forth in this count.
THE WIRE COMMUNICATION
24) On or about September 12, 1996, within the Southern District
of Illinois, the defendant,
JOHN P. MAISON,
a/k/a PAUL J. MARKOWITZ,
for the purpose of executing the aforementioned scheme did
cause to be transmitted in interstate commerce, by means of
a wire communication certain signals through the use of a credit
card as set forth below.
Date: 9/12/96
From: Sam’s Wholesale Club, 1350 W. Hwy., O’Fallon,
IL 62269
To: Sam’s Wholesale Club, 702 S. West 8th Street, Bentonville,
AK 72716
All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section
1343.
back to top
COUNT 14
(Wire Fraud)
The grand jury realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs
1 through 11 as if fully set in this count.
25) On or about June 2, 1996, in the Southern District of
Illinois, the defendant,
JOHN P. MAISON,
a/k/a PAUL J. MARKOWITZ,
for the purpose of executing the aforementioned scheme did
cause to be transmitted in interstate commerce, by means of
a wire communication certain signals through the use of a credit
card as set forth below.
Date: 6/2/96
From: Sam’s Wholesale Club, 1350 W. Hwy., O’Fallon,
IL 62269
To: Sam’s Wholesale Club, 702 S. West 8th Street, Bentonville,
AK 72716
All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section
1343.
back to top
COUNT 15
(Wire Fraud)
The grand jury realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs
1 through 11 as if fully set in this count.
26) On or about June 22, 1996, in the Southern District of
Illinois, the defendant,
JOHN P. MAISON,
a/k/a PAUL J. MARKOWITZ,
for the purpose of executing the aforementioned scheme did
cause to be transmitted in interstate commerce, by means of
a wire communication certain signals through the use of a credit
card as set forth below.
Date: 6/22/96
From: Sam’s Wholesale Club, 1350 W. Hwy., O’Fallon,
IL 62269
To: Sam’s Wholesale Club, 702 S. West 8th Street, Bentonville,
AK 72716
All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section
1343.
back to top
COUNT 16
(Wire Fraud)
The grand jury realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs
1 through 11 as if fully set in this count.
27) On or about May 25, 1996, in the Southern District of
Illinois, the defendant,
JOHN P. MAISON,
a/k/a PAUL J. MARKOWITZ,
for the purpose of executing the aforementioned scheme did
cause to be transmitted in interstate commerce, b y means of
a wire communication certain signals through the use of a credit
card as set forth below.
Date: 5/25/96
From: Sam’s Wholesale Club, 1350 W. Hwy., O’Fallon,
IL 62269
To: Sam’s Wholesale Club, 702 S. West 8th Street, Bentonville,
AK 72716
All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section
1343.
A TRUE BILL
(signed) Margaret Pride
Foreperson
(signed) W. Charles Grace
United States Attorney
Recommended Bond: $250,000 Secured.
|
