In late 2014, Southern was also charged with bankruptcy fraud, wire fraud, and lying under oath during Freedom Industry’s eventual bankruptcy proceedings following the massive spill. FBI Special Agent James F. Lafferty said in a sworn affidavit that Southern, in an attempt to protect his personal fortune of nearly $8 million and shield himself from lawsuits, developed a scheme to distance himself from the company and “deflect blame” to other parties.
Southern lives in a $1.2 million, 4,133-square-foot mansion in Marco Island, Florida, according to documents on the West Virginia Secretary of State’s office. Following his sentencing on Wednesday, Southern was given permission to fly back to Florida on a private plan, Ward reported.
- After sentencing, Judge gave Southern permission to fly back to Florida on a friend’s private plane – bond condition would have prohibited.
Article Appeared @http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/02/17/3750629/west-virginia-chemical-spill-sentence/