Local businessman accused of conspiracy

Count filed days after dismissal of indictment

12/7/2013

Less than a week after an 83-count federal indictment was dismissed against three Toledo-area businessmen, one of them was charged with a single count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud.

Bradford Huebner, 66, of Ottawa Hills was named in a complaint filed Monday in U.S. District Court. An affidavit filed in support accuses Mr. Huebner of defrauding Wood County Job and Family Services out of more than $5,000 in 2010 by registering former co-defendant Michael Teadt of Maumee for the agency’s Project Hire. The program reimbursed employers up to 50 percent of the cost to hire and train the jobless.

The affidavit alleges Mr. Huebner was reimbursed for hiring Mr. Teadt even though Mr. Teadt allegedly was employed by another company and received no training at Mr. Huebner’s firm, Commercial Energy Products.

Mr. Huebner’s attorney, Rick Kerger, said Friday the charge was not part of the original indictment, although it was discussed. “It was something that surfaced during the pendency of the last case,” Mr. Kerger said. “I think it can be characterized as a misunderstanding. Mr. Huebner offered to repay the money last spring; he asked the state to indicate how much,” and got no response.

He said he suspects the charge was filed this week as a way for the government to “exercise control over Mr. Huebner, who was no longer on bond.” He posted an unsecured $500,000 bond Monday.

On Nov. 27, U.S. District Court Judge Jack Zouhary dismissed multiple charges against Mr. Huebner, Mr. Teadt, and Charles Emmenecker of Sylvania alleging they conspired to defraud investors in the sale of Iraqi currency, the dinar, and in the sale of hedge-fund shares between August, 2010, and September, 2012, resulting in losses of more than $23 million.

The charges were dismissed on a technicality — a speedy-trial issue — and prosecutors said they will seek to reindict the three as soon as possible.

Contact Jennifer Feehan at: jfeehan@theblade.com or 419-213-2134.