ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Attorneys for a Minnesota businessman accused of operating a massive Ponzi scheme are highlighting recordings made by a government witness in which company officers appear to wonder how much he knows about the alleged scam.
Lawyers for Tom Petters are questioning Deanna Coleman, the aide who ultimately blew the whistle on what prosecutors say was a $3.65 billion fraud. Coleman wore a wire after going to the FBI in September 2008.
In one conversation, Petters Co. Inc. executive Bob White says that he can't tell for sure if Petters knows. Coleman responds that Petters does, but that he doesn't want to think about it.
Petters has pleased not guilty. His attorneys say he didn't know what Coleman, White and others were doing. Coleman and White have already pleaded guilty in the case.
