Three more trials involving other National Century defendants are scheduled throughout the year. Why not all at once?

Next National Century trials set to begin
DUBLIN, Ohio (UPI) -- The next trial in the National Century Financial Enterprise fraud case is to begin this week in federal court in Ohio, it was reported Sunday.

The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch reported Natural Century co-founders, Rebecca S. Parrett and Donald H. Ayers, will be on trial in Columbus starting Monday, along with former executives Randolph H. Speer, Roger S. Faulkenberry and James E. Dierker.

The five executives are all facing fraud charges in relation to the more than $1.9 billion National Century investors lost when the healthcare finance company officially declared bankruptcy in 2002.

The bankruptcy filing by the privately held company caused thousands of people to lose their jobs and helped cause the collapse of at least 275 healthcare companies.

The National Century officials have been accused of charges ranging from money laundering to conspiracy. All of the co-defendants, except Dierker, could receive life prison sentences if convicted. The Dispatch said Dierker is facing a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison if convicted.

Three more trials involving other National Century defendants are scheduled throughout the year.



Copyright 2008 by United Press International