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Former Affiliated Southwest CEO Pleads Guilty to Fraud

The former president and chief executive officer of Affiliated Foods Southwest has pleaded guilty to charges of defrauding its lenders, according to court papers.

Jon Springer, Executive Editor

February 23, 2010

1 Min Read
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JON SPRINGER

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The former president and chief executive officer of Affiliated Foods Southwest has pleaded guilty to charges of defrauding its lenders, according to court papers filed here.

John Mills, who had served as the cooperative wholesaler's president and CEO since 2004, left the company early last year, shortly before it filed for bankruptcy protection. The company, based here, was subsequently acquired by Associated Wholesale Grocers, Kansas City, Kan.

Mills, in a plea agreement filed in federal court, admitted defrauding U.S. Bank through a "check kiting" scheme between Sept. 29, 2008, and Feb. 27, 2009. Mills faces penalties of up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million, court documents said.

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About the Author

Jon Springer

Executive Editor

Jon Springer is executive editor of Winsight Grocery Business with responsibility for leading its digital news team. Jon has more than 20 years of experience covering consumer business and retail in New York, including more than 14 years at the Retail/Financial desk at Supermarket News. His previous experience includes covering consumer markets for KPMG’s Insiders; the U.S. beverage industry for Beverage Spectrum; and he was a Senior Editor covering commercial real estate and retail for the International Council of Shopping Centers. Jon began his career as a sports reporter and features editor for the Cecil Whig, a daily newspaper in Elkton, Md. Jon is also the author of two books on baseball. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English-Journalism from the University of Delaware. He lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. with his family.

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