Wolgamot resigns as corporate counsel

Local News

Discussion

August 21, 2008

BY BRIAN L. HUCHEL The Commercial-News Thu Aug 21, 2008, 10:42 AM CDT

DANVILLE — The City of Danville’s longtime corporate counsel resigned Wednesday in the face of a plea to federal criminal charges.

John “Pat” Wolgamot was scheduled for a morning hearing in U.S. District Court in Urbana before Chief Judge Michael P. McCuskey to change his plea to fraud charges. Notice of the hearing was filed Tuesday.

The Danville attorney had pleaded innocent to four counts of fraud in connection with a fraudulent paper scheme dating back to the mid-1990s. Another man, Brian Wasson of Ridge Farm, also stands accused in the case.

Mayor Scott Eisenhauer said he received the resignation from Wolgamot on Wednesday, ending a tenure of more than 20 years with the city. Wolgamot didn’t offer a reason for the decision, Eisenhauer said.

“Pat and I had talked about the possibility occurring before. Someday he would retire,” Eisenhauer said, adding he did not anticipate it so soon.

Court documents indicate Wolgamot and his co-defendant faced a deadline of Aug. 28 to enter a guilty plea in the case and still receive an acceptance of responsibility by the court. A jury trial date of Sept. 22 was scheduled along with jury selection in the case.

U.S. District Court scheduling does not indicate a hearing date for Wasson in connection with the charges.

Wolgamot faces a charge of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and three counts of fraud and false statements, accusing him of fraudulent tax forms and obstructing the actions of the IRS beginning as early as the fall 1994.

The charges are part of a paper scheme in which trusts were sold to federal taxpayers by The Aegis Company. The trusts helped conceal taxpayer assets and income from the IRS and reduce income tax liability.

Courts records accuse Wolgamot of being a business associate of Wasson and the late Joseph Starns, both of whom created a Midwest Alternative Planning to promote the Aegis scheme. Wolgamot is accused of working with the two men to promote the Aegis scheme.

Text Only

Local News

Southeast Fountain approves new library program
The libraries at Fountain Central High School and Southeast Fountain Elementary School will be upgraded with a new catalog system.

February 10, 2012
Deputy enters not guilty plea
A Vermilion County deputy is maintaining his innocence in the face of driving while under the influence of alcohol charges in Champaign County.

February 10, 2012
Class centers on sweets
February 10, 2012
Concert to salute veterans
February 10, 2012
Police, Fire Reports
February 10, 2012
Valentine ideas
Residents still have a few hours left today to sign up to win Downtown Danville, Inc.’s Valentine’s Day package. Even if you don’t win, there still are lots of present ideas downtown for your significant other.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
City proposes cut to DDI
Public discussions have yet to start on the city’s fiscal year 2012-2013 budget, but Downtown Danville, Inc. officials are ready to fight back against a proposed $30,000 funding cut.

February 9, 2012
DACC to host FAFSA meeting
Applying for financial aid to attend college no longer means wading through mounds of paperwork.

February 9, 2012
Oakwood school officials search for memorabilia
Oakwood school district officials will move into a new unit office soon, but they don’t want to forget the history of the district.

February 9, 2012
Viral video: Grizzly bear cub, wolf cub play together
It’s like something out of a children's book: A bear cub meets a wolf cub and they become the best of friends. Even though they are different species and ferocious predators, the unlikely couple stays pals for life.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Discussion

Wolgamot resigns as corporate counsel

Site Map

Contact Us