U.S. DISTRICT COURT

New trials denied for 2 convicted in scheme

Plot involved sale of Iraqi currency

7/8/2014

A federal court judge Tuesday denied motions for new trials filed by two local businessmen convicted in an investment scheme involving the sale of Iraqi currency.

U.S. District Judge Jack Zouhary refused to grant new trials for Bradford Huebner, 66, of Ottawa Hills and Charles Emmenecker, 67, of Sylvania, both of whom a jury convicted May 22 of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in connection with the $24 million investment scheme. Huebner also was convicted of 30 counts of structuring, nine counts of money laundering, and one count of mail fraud.

Judge Zouhary concluded that the jury’s verdict — which acquitted third co-defendant Michael Teadt on the conspiracy and structuring charges — “shows that the jury considered the evidence against each defendant separately and was able to compartmentalize the conduct forming the [Wood County] fraud from other charges.”

Emmenecker had argued he was prejudiced from having a fair trial because the count of mail fraud that Huebner and Teadt were convicted of did not involve him. It dealt with a fraudulent application his two co-defendants filed with the Wood County Department of Job and Family Services for employment training funds.

Huebner also had asked the court to acquit him on 29 of the structuring counts, arguing federal prosecutors had not proven he specifically knew that banks must report cash deposits of $10,000 or more by filing currency transaction reports. Judge Zouhary disagreed.

“A rational jury could find that Huebner had knowledge of the reporting requirement, including a Post-it note found in Huebner’s cubicle with the letters ‘CTR’ and the number ‘10,000,’ ” the judge wrote. “… A rational jury could also find Huebner guilty of these counts by drawing inferences from the fact Huebner made deposits at multiple banks, even multiple deposits on a single day, just under the $10,000 limit.”

Huebner and Emmenecker are scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 30, while Teadt, 67, of Maumee is to be sentenced Sept. 23 on the single count of mail fraud.

— Jennifer Feehan