New Jersey Man Indicted for Fraud in Cable Sale

COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated today that John F. Burns, age 62, of Verona, New Jersey, was charged in a three-count Indictment with mail and wire fraud. The Indictment alleges that Burns falsely claimed to own 23 spools of fiber-optic cable which he sold to a group of buyers, including a South Carolina investor, for $32,000.

The maximum penalty Burns could receive on each count is a fine of $250,000 and imprisonment for 20 years.

Mr. Wilkins stated that the case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and that he has assigned the case to Assistant United States Attorney Dean A. Eichelberger of the Columbia office for prosecution.

The 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.

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