United States v. Celadon Group Inc.

PENDING CRIMINAL DIVISION CASES

United States v. Celadon Group Inc.
Court Docket No.: 1:19-cr-0141-JRS-DML (S.D. Indiana)

United States v. Danny Ray Williams
Court Docket No.: 1:19-cr-138-RLY (S.D. Indiana)

United States v. William Eric Meek and Bobby Lee Peavler
Court Docket No.: 1:19-cr-378-JMS (S.D. Indiana)

Court Assigned:  These cases are docketed in the Southern District of Indiana.  United States v. Danny Ray Williams is assigned to Judge Richard L. Young.  United States v. Celadon Group Inc. and United States v. William Eric Meek and Bobby Lee Peavler are assigned to Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson.

Case Overviews:

United States v. Celadon Group: On April 25, 2019, Celadon Group Inc. (“Celadon”), entered into a five-year deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) to resolve an April 2019 information charging it with one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and books and records violations.  The case is primarily focused on the fact that Celadon knowingly filed materially false and misleading statements to investors and falsified books, records and accounts with regard to the values of assets (trucks) involved in a series of trade transactions that were recorded at inflated values and not fair market value.

Under the terms of the DPA, Celadon is required to pay full restitution of $42.2 million to shareholder victims directly and proximately harmed as a result of the commission of the offense, which will be paid over a period of years consistent with 18 U.S.C. § 3664(f)(2), (3)(A).  Celadon also agreed to implement rigorous internal controls and cooperate fully with the Department’s ongoing investigation, including its investigation of individuals.  Under the DPA, prosecution of the company for securities fraud will be deferred for an initial period of approximately five years, subject to approval by the court, to allow Celadon to demonstrate good conduct.

The Department reached this resolution based on a number of factors, including Celadon’s ongoing cooperation with the United States and the company’s extensive efforts at remediation.  Among other remedial efforts, the company no longer employs the executives involved in wrongdoing, and the company replaced its executive management team with experienced executives who display a commitment to building an ethical corporate culture.  Furthermore, Celadon created the new position of Chief Accounting Officer and hired an experienced Internal Audit staff member reporting directly to the Company’s Internal Audit Manager.

For more information about the Celadon Group Inc. Deferred Prosecution Agreement, please see below:

Press Release
Celadon Criminal Information
Celadon Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA)

United States v. Danny Williams: The United States filed an Information and plea agreement against Danny Williams, the former President of Quality Companies LLC (Quality), a wholly owned subsidiary of Celadon that leased tractors and trailers to owner-operator truck drivers. Danny Williams was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, to make false statements to a public company’s accountants, and to falsify books, records and accounts of a public company in connection with Celadon’s crimes.

For more information about the Danny Williams Plea Agreement, please see below:

Williams Criminal Information
Williams Plea Agreement

Victim Impact Statement:  If you would like to submit a Victim Impact Statement you may do so by mailing the Victim Impact Statement below to: Victim Witness Unit, U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Fraud Section, 10th & Constitution Avenue, NW, Bond Building, Room 4416, Washington, DC 20530. You also may submit the Victim Impact Statement via email at Victimassistance.fraud@usdoj.gov or by fax at: (202) 514-3708.

Victim Impact Statement (PDF)

The information on this website will be updated as new developments arise in the case. If you have any questions, please call the Victim Assistance Line toll-free at (888) 549-3945 or email us at VictimAssistance.fraud@usdoj.gov.

Presumption of Innocence: It is important to keep in mind that an Information contains allegations only, and that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.  That presumption requires both the court and our office to take certain steps to ensure that justice is served.

Crime Victims’ Rights Act and Right to Retain Counsel: The Crime Victims’ Rights Act (18 U.S.C. § 3771) applies only to victims of the counts charged in federal court, and thus individuals may not be able to exercise all of these rights if the crime of which the individual is a victim was not charged. Section 377I(c)(2) of this Act requires that we advise you that you have the right to retain counsel. Although the statute specifically sets forth your right to seek advice of an attorney with regard to your rights under the statute, there is no requirement that you retain counsel. The Government may not recommend any specific counsel, nor can the government (or the court) pay for counsel to represent you. Government attorneys represent the United States.

If you elect to obtain counsel to represent your interests, please have your attorney notify this office in writing at: U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Fraud Section, 10th & Constitution Avenue, NW, Bond Building, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20530, Attention: Victim Witness Unit; fax: (202) 514-3708; or email: VictimAssistance.fraud@usdoj.gov. If you elect not to retain counsel to represent your interests, you do not need to do anything.

Plea Agreements: Please be aware that many criminal cases are resolved by plea agreement between the Department of Justice and the defendant. If you want to inform the prosecutor of your views regarding the plea agreement, or any other aspect of the case, please call the Victim Assistance Line toll-free at (888) 549-3945 or email us at VictimAssistance.fraud@usdoj.gov, and we will put you in touch with the prosecutor.