One of two men accused of deceptive telemarketing and racketeering, has apparently decided to enter a plea agreement.
A Monday plea hearing has been scheduled for Christopher Keen, according to the Wisconsin newspaper the Leader Telegram.
Meanwhile, the trial of co-defendant Duane J. Kolve has been postponed for at least two weeks while he seeks a new attorney, the paper reported. The trial of the two had scheduled for Sept. 10.
Wisconsin authorities charged the pair last year with fraudulently collecting over $10 million in contributions from out-of-state donors.
Callers told victims that they were soliciting funds for purported charities like the American Deputy Sheriffs Association, the Coalition of Police and Sheriffs, the American Veterans Relief Foundation and the Association of Disabled Firefighters, according to the Wisconsin Attorney General’s office.
The firms involved in the alleged fundraising scheme included Public Awareness Inc., Civic Action Inc., Community Outreach Inc. and Community Support Inc., according to the AG’s office.
The criminal complaint was jointly filed by the Attorney General and by the Eau Claire County District Attorney.
Wisconsin’s racketeering statute carries a possible penalty of 15 years on each count.
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