Ron Wells, prominent Spokane developer, pleads guilty to multiple felonies in federal insurance fraud case
With his guilty pleas, filed Tuesday in federal court, Wells admitted to mail fraud, conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and illegal monetary transactions. Each offense carries between 10 and 20 years of maximum jail time, and up to
Wells is one of nine people who have so far pleaded guilty in the case, which originally involved 22 defendants who were accused of deliberately staging a "series of automobile, boating, stair fall, pedestrian/vehicle and other accidents" in
"When
According to court documents, Wells worked with
On
Of that, Wells received
Documents don't say why Wells owed Mize
Wells also participated in money transactions related to a collision staged in
Wells agreed to pay
He also agreed to cooperate with the ongoing investigation, which could decrease the amount of time he's imprisoned after he's sentenced on
Wells has worked as a historic preservationist and developer in the region since 1983. He has saved dozens of buildings from the wrecking ball, and 45 of his projects have qualified for historic tax credits. His projects include the Steam Plant,
"The Ridpath should not be affected in any way," Mann said. "We've been working on removing him from ownership. It's a done deal. I don't think it's in any danger."
In the months leading up to the charges being filed, Wells had been bedridden for three months because of an undisclosed illness and hospitalization. Mann, who had Wells' power of attorney during his convalescence, said he has seen Wells recently, but declined to comment on his well-being, other than to note, "Obviously, it's been devastating for him over the last few months."
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