_________::::___#389 - April 4, 2007________________
FRAUDBARON.com
The Anti-Fraud Professionals'
Source for Fraud News
#389 Updated: 4/3/07 10:34 p.m.

Darden, FTC Settle Gift Card Fee Charges
Federal regulators said Tuesday they've reached an agreement with Darden
Restaurants Inc., operator of the Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Bahama Breeze and
Smokey Bones chains, to restore inactivity fees that were deducted from unused
gift cards.

3 head to trial in stock scam, but leader likely far away
Three men accused of participating in one of the largest stock frauds in Texas
history went on trial in a federal court here Monday, but scam kingpin Harris
Dempsey "Butch" Ballow — who already owes $30 million in stolen money and
fines — won't be around for the proceedings.

Katrina fraud stretches far beyond Gulf
An Illinois woman mourns her two young daughters, swept to their deaths in
Hurricane Katrina's floodwaters. It's a tragic and terrifying story. It's also a lie.

Knight sentenced in $4.4M fraud scheme
James Knight was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison after pleading guilty
to stealing over $4.4 million dollars from more than 50 victims, U.S. Attorney
Catherine Hanaway said Tuesday.

Brothers ordered to pay $5.6 million in bank fraud case
Two brothers who admitted to bank fraud charges last year and plan to testify
against another defendant in the case were sentenced Tuesday to more than five
years in prison and ordered to repay $5.6 million.