Hogsett Announces Department Of Justice Director’s Award For Lead Durham Prosecutor

INDIANAPOLIS- Joseph H. Hogsett announced today a member of the U.S. Attorney’s Office has received the prestigious Director’s Award from the Executive Office of United States Attorneys. Winfield D. Ong, a 25 year veteran of the U.S. Attorney’s Office received the award for his work in the Tim Durham trial.

Ong, prosecuted Tim Durham, James Cochran and Rick Snow on a white collar fraud case in the Southern District of Indiana, resulting in the largest white collar fraud sentence imposed in the district and brought justice to the approximate 5,000 victims who lost over $200,000,000. Durham, Cochran, and Snow were convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and securities fraud, wire fraud, and securities fraud. The defendants “loaned” the investor funds to themselves and their financially unsuccessful companies without the investors’ knowledge. The investigation involved the seizure and subsequent sale of Durham’s art and classic car collection. Pre-trial litigation involved Durham’s unsuccessful efforts to suppress incriminating conversations intercepted during the wiretap of his cellular telephone. Following a two-week jury trial, Durham, Cochran, and Snow were convicted. Durham was sentenced to fifty years incarceration, Cochran to twenty- five years, and Snow to ten years.

“I could not be more proud of an outstanding employee like Winfield Ong,” said Hogsett. “He personifies all that is good about public service and makes me proud to be associated with this office.”

Winfield Ong, 55, is a native of Evansville, Indiana, attended DePauw University for his undergraduate degree and Lewis and Clark University in Portland, OR, for his law degree. Winfield and his wife Jennifer have three children and live in Indianapolis. He enjoys outdoor activities which include cycling, tennis, hiking, snow skiing and kayaking.

The Director’s Award honors employees from U.S. Attorney’s offices around the country who have supported the mission of their office and distinguished themselves through extraordinary professional achievements and excellence. Mr. Ong was selected from nearly 1000 nominees nation-wide