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Press Release

Hermosa Man Convicted Of Filing False Claims To Receive Grant Money

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Dakota

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Scott Thompson, age 49, of Hermosa, South Dakota, was found guilty of two counts of False Claims, two counts of False Document Submitted to a Department or Agency of the United States, two counts of Fraud by Wire, and one count of Receiving Stolen Government Money as a result of a federal jury trial in Rapid City, South Dakota.  The verdict was returned on October 30, 2014.     

The charge of Fraud by Wire carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Each charge of False Claims, False Document Submitted to a Department or Agency of the United States, and Receiving Stolen Government Money carry a maximum penalty of 5 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. 

The conviction stems from Thompson falsifying information on multiple grant applications between June 2009 and January 2010, in order to obtain $100,000 in award money from the National Science Foundation.
         
This case was investigated by the National Science Foundation Office of Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Collins and Eric Kelderman prosecuted the case.
         
A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for February 2, 2015.    


Updated June 22, 2015