Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Joplin developer sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison

A federal judge today sentenced Richard Gregg, Nixa, the former developer of 1717 Marketplace on Rangeline in Joplin to six and a half years in prison on multiple counts of fraud and bankruptcy fraud. Gregg will also have to pay $3.1 million to the people he swindled.

Gregg's attorney asked that his client be allowed to self-surrender and begin his sentence at a later date, but the judge ordered that Gregg be sent to prison immediately:


Gregg’s attorney, David Mercer, argued his client was not a flight risk and did not pose economic or physical danger to the public. Citing news reports, Mercer said Gregg had become “literally and publicly radioactive.”

“There’s not a single businessperson in southwest Missouri who would touch Gregg with a 10-foot pole,” Mercer said of the government’s claim Gregg could be an economic risk.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall Eggert played a recording of Gregg speaking to his wife in prison.

“Have the boys take care of the people who put me here,” Gregg said on the tape.

Mercer argued Gregg was referring to his sons, who are both attorneys, and that they should pursue proper legal action to get him released. Eggert interpreted the statement as intending harm on others. He also said Gregg was a flight risk because of his gambling addiction.

The details on Gregg's crimes can be found at this link.


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