Federal Bureau of Investigation - Columbia Field Division

KEVIN F. MCDONALD
ACTING UNITED STATES ATTORNEY
DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA
1441 Main Street, Suite 500 * Columbia, SC 29201 * (803) 929-3000*

May 15, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT PERSON: Nancy C. Wicker
(803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina ---- Acting United States Attorney Kevin F. McDonald stated today that Earl Steven Henderson, age 55, of Campobello, South Carolina, was charged in a two-count Indictment with wire fraud. Henderson, while an employee of Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation in Gaffney, allegedly sought kickbacks from Freightliner vendors in exchange for excessive company purchase orders. Investigators believe the fraud resulted in a loss to Freightliner of approximately $1.5 million dollars.

The maximum penalty Earl Steven Henderson could receive is a fine of $250,000.00 and imprisonment for 20 years.

Mr. McDonald stated that the case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, and that he has assigned the case to Assistant United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins of the Greenville office for prosecution.

The Acting United States Attorney stated that all charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.