Valparaiso, IN – A 55-year-old Valparaiso man has been sentenced to probation and ordered to repay more than $123,000 after admitting to a federal wire fraud scheme involving environmental cleanup funds.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana, Alan Jones pleaded guilty to a federal felony for mail fraud and was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Court Judge James T. Moody to 12 months of probation. Jones was also ordered to pay $123,523 in restitution to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM).
Court records show Jones was employed by an environmental consulting company based in Chesterton, Indiana, contracted by gas station owners to manage cleanup work on leaking underground storage tanks. The state had established a trust fund, overseen by IDEM, to reimburse these remediation costs. Prosecutors allege Jones repeatedly submitted false claims for expenses that were never incurred, causing state funds to be improperly paid to the company.
Acting U.S. Attorney M. Scott Proctor stated Jones’s actions were part of a scheme to fraudulently obtain public funds from the State of Indiana. Special Agent in Charge Allison Landsman of the Environmental Protection Agency emphasized that such schemes undermine environmental initiatives and the financial integrity of state cleanup programs.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the EPA and IDEM, with assistance from state and federal law enforcement. Prosecutors said the case underscores their commitment to holding accountable those who exploit public programs for personal gain.
Jones will serve his probation under federal supervision and must repay the full restitution amount to the state’s environmental department.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
Follow us on Instagram & Facebook for more relevant new stories and SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS! Have a tip? Message us!
