It looked like it was all over for a Topeka, Kansas man after he was charged with 107 counts of bankruptcy fraud, six counts of money laundering and one count of perjury.
However, the local businessman was acquitted by a U.S. District Court jury of all 114 charges earlier this month after facing bankruptcy fraud charges in a multimillion-dollar bankruptcy action.
Kent D. Lindemuth faced 103 of his fraud charges for the purchase of 103 firearms he failed to disclose in his bankruptcy estate. But that’s only a small fraction of the total firearms he purchased which came out to 2,166 guns at a value of $1.422 million. Those 2,166 guns were comprised of 835 pistols, 929 revolvers, 253 rifles and 149 shotguns that investigators recovered.
A jury made up of 11 men and one woman deliberated for two days before returning with their verdict.
“Mr. Lindemuth did not commit any crimes,” said lead defense attorney William Skepnek. “The jury vindicated him today.”
Jurors cited a lack of evidence on the prosecution’s part said they failed to close the loop” to prove its side. They went on to say that “the defense attorney was excellent,” and “he closed all the holes.”
Lindemuth still faces three charges — one count of receipt of ammunition and two counts of receipt of firearms.
Prosecution and defense attorneys will return to court on January 15 to discuss the remaining charges.
