Former Burruss Company Executives Sentenced To Prison For Fraud And Embezzlement

justice.gov, Jan 12, 2007

United States Attorney John L. Brownlee announced today that John Alvis Jackson, Jr., age 65, of Lynchburg, Virginia and Larry Carey, age 59, of Lynchburg, Virginia, were sentenced to prison for fraud and embezzlement. Jackson was sentenced to nine years in prison. Carey was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison.

“The criminal actions of these two defendants impacted the lives of hundreds of others. Mr. Jackson and Mr. Carey paid themselves large bonuses with money that was meant for the medical insurance costs for their employees.” said United States Attorney John Brownlee. “ We hope that this case sends the message that anyone who commits fraud or embezzlement will be prosecuted and punished.”

Jackson and Carey were convicted of fraud and embezzlement in United States District Court in Lynchburg on March 9, 2006.

“These criminals defrauded their workers out of more than a half million dollars in retirement and health benefits. This case sends a clear message that theft of employee benefit plan assets is a serious crime that will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," said Bradford P. Campbell, Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Employee Benefits Security Administration.” According to evidence presented by Assistant United States Attorney Jennie Waering, Jackson was the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Burruss Company from 1989 until October 2000. Carey was the Vice President of Finance of The Burruss Company from 1980 until October 2000. Burruss was a company that manufactured, marketed and sold various types of wood products. Burruss had facilities in Lynchburg, Galax, Brookneal, and Gladys, Virginia as well as in Memphis and Alcoa, Tennessee, and Louisville and Monticello Kentucky.