Monday, August 18, 2014

Former board chair of Foothills Regional Airport (KMRN) awaits sentencing

It appears the third official charged in wrongdoing at Foothills Regional Airport will be sentenced before the end of the year.

Former airport board chairman Randy Hullette pleaded guilty pleaded guilty Aug. 21 to embezzlement and witness tampering. He faces a total maximum sentence of 30 years.

A presentence investigation report on Hullette was filed with the federal courts Aug. 12 but has been sealed. A presentence investigation report, which can contain sensitive information including medical and psychological reports, is required before someone is sentenced.

Hullette and his attorney have until Aug. 29 to file any objections to the presentence report, according to federal court records.

The federal court in Asheville holds sentencing every other month, according to court officials. Hullette is likely to be sentenced sometime in October, say court officials. The sentencing dates on the court calendar are Oct. 21 or 23, court officials say.

Former airport manager Alex Nelson was sentenced in February to three years in prison and three years supervised probation. He also was ordered to pay $179,781.51 in restitution. Nelson reported to prison in Beckley, W.Va., on June 9.

In March, Nelson appealed his sentencing to the Fourth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., saying he had questions about the process. That process is ongoing, according to federal court documents.

He pleaded guilty in September 2012 to conspiracy, embezzlement and money laundering.

Brad Adkins, former operations manager at the airport, was sentenced June 3 to time served, four months of house arrest and three years supervised release; had to pay a $200 assessment; and jointly pay $85,305.59 in restitution.

The federal government revoked Adkins’ bond in February after he taped urine to his body to try to pass a drug test. In November, he admitted to taking Xanax , which is commonly used to treat anxiety.

Adkins was jailed in Marion on Feb. 11 and held until his sentencing June 3.

The FBI raided the airport in June 2012, seizing files, records, computers, log books and other information. The warrant included records from the airport involving Nelson, Adkins and Hullette defrauding the airport of at least $100,000.

- Source:   http://www.morganton.com