A former benefits plans manager for Tyson Foods from Gentry has pleaded guilty to defrauding the company of about $510,000 over a nine-year period. She entered a plea today in federal court.

The Justice Department release:

Advertisement

Kenneth Elser, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Brenda Ann Blair, age 47, of Gentry, Arkansas, pleaded guilty today to one count of Wire Fraud. The guilty plea was accepted by the Honorable Timothy L. Brooks, in the U.S. District Court in Fayetteville.

According to court records, beginning at least as early as June 2005, and continuing to on or about September 19, 2014, the defendant, Brenda Blair, devised and implemented a scheme to defraud her employer, Tyson Food, Inc. of $551, 343.52. Blair did this by way of her access to the Pre-65 Retiree Health Insurance Benefits Plan as the manager for the plan. As part of the scheme and artifice to defraud, Blair falsified ACH or wire transactions in that she generated fraudulent wire transfers using the names of actual participants of the plan as the recipients of wire payments from the plan, while using her own bank accounts for the receiving accounts of these wire transfers. Blair initiated these fraudulent wire transfers by way of a bank account maintained by Tyson Food, Inc. for the Pre-65 Retiree Health Insurance Benefits Plan. This resulted in Blair receiving monies from Tyson Foods, Inc., that she was not entitled to in the amount of $551,343.52.

When questioned by agents concerning her conduct, Blair admitted to her wrong doing and advised the agents that she was the only person involved, meaning that no one else participated in her scheme to defraud. Prior to her termination, Blair worked for Tyson Foods, Inc. for over twenty five years, and last held the position of Special Benefits Plan Manager. In her capacity as Special Benefits Plan Mangers, Blair managed contributions into and handled administrative duties related to the Tyson Foods Inc. Pre-65 Retiree Health Insurance Benefit Plan.

This case was investigated by The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and The Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly N. Davis prosecuted the case for the United States.

Be a part of something bigger

As a reader of the Arkansas Times, you know we’re dedicated to bringing you tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, we've been fighting the good fight in Little Rock and beyond – with your support, we can do even more. By becoming a subscriber or donating as little as $1 to our efforts, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers to expand our coverage and continue to bring important stories to light. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, it's clear that our readers value our great journalism. Join us in the fight for truth.

Previous article Let the weekend begin Next article The Cautiously Optimistic for Fayetteville Edition