Catchfence

A former Nationwide Series team owner pleaded guilty Monday to one charge of mail fraud as part of what federal prosecutors say was his part in a $12.7 million embezzlement scheme over a period from 1995 to 2007, according to a news release from the office of U.S. Attorney Jim Letten out of New Orleans.

Daniel Kinney, whose Premier Motorsports team fielded the No. 85 Nationwide Series car in select series races in the last seven years, was charged for his role in a scheme that included his girlfriend’s sister, Donna White, who worked at J.W. Stone Oil Distributor. According to documents filed in the case, prosecutors allege they worked together to steal checks and funds belonging to the company and deposit funds into their personal accounts.

According to the news release, the stolen funds were used in part to fund the race team as well as for personal expenses and gambling expenses.

Kinney, a Kentucky resident, and White face possible maximum sentences of 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $250,000.00 and three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, according to the news release. Sentencing is scheduled for March 11 in U.S. District Court in New Orleans.

- Scene Daily