Former Times worker Earl Beasley, wife granted divorce
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By Ann McGlynn | Monday, December 03, 2007 |
Former Quad-City Times employee Earl Beasley and his wife Julie Beasley. Earl pleaded guilty to charges on 74 counts of fraud and money laundering. The Times' estimated loss is $1 million, court documents say. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
The former Quad-City Times maintenance supervisor who pleaded guilty in federal court last week to stealing from the newspaper and his wife are now divorced.
Julie Beasley filed for and was granted the divorce from Earl Beasley on Thursday, the day after his guilty plea. It was based on “extreme and repeated mental cruelty,” documents filed in Rock Island County Circuit Court state.
Julie Beasley is scheduled to stand trial in U.S. District Court on 76 counts of fraud, money laundering and conspiracy in January in connection with $1 million stolen from the Times over eight years.
Earl Beasley pleaded guilty to 74 counts of fraud and money laundering. Two counts accusing him of conspiring with his ex-wife remain.
The couple were married Valentine’s Day in 1974. They will share custody of their 9-year-old daughter.
Julie Beasley, a nurse, is working at Rosewood Care Center, making $4,000 a month, documents state. Earl Beasley, a truck driver, is employed by Miller Container Co., making $3,300 a month.
Beasley was the building maintenance supervisor at the Times from August 1989 until Jan. 19, when he was fired.
The divorce agreement states Earl Beasley is responsible for any debts incurred by the couple. He will receive his Chevy truck and his personal belongings, including tools. She will receive the household goods, vehicles, animals and equipment required to care for the animals. She also will receive the couple’s firearms, including those inherited by her husband, sewing equipment, and hobby and sports equipment.
The order dictates that Earl Beasley pay Julie Beasley $300 a month spousal support and $200 a week child support.
It also dictates the couple’s ranch at 12201 Turkey Hollow Road in Taylor Ridge, Ill., be sold. However, the property is being foreclosed upon by the bank, has liens filed against it by the builder and is subject to seizure by the federal government because of Earl Beasley’s guilty plea.
According to criminal court documents, Beasley was responsible for ordering items and services to maintain the Quad-City Times building and grounds. He knew that after an item was ordered, a vendor would submit an invoice seeking payment. Beasley reviewed those invoices and forwarded them to his supervisor for payment.
The Beasleys created an organization called Protech Co., which posed as a company providing maintenance supplies, documents state. “In fact it did not purchase or supply such products,” according to the documents.
They also continued a business, R&E Enterprise, previously owned by Earl Beasley's parents. It also posed as a company that provided supplies but did not do so.
The Beasleys created false invoices, which Earl Beasley then approved for payment, documents state.
Beasley also used his company-issued credit cards to purchase several items for his own and others' use. Many of the items were shipped to his house. He created fake invoices with descriptions of items or services consistent with those needed by the Times in order to justify payment. The invoices were submitted to, approved by and paid by the Times.
The fraud was discovered during a review of statements for credit cards issued to Beasley. Several charges were discovered to Cabela’s, but the invoices didn’t match the products listed on the Web site, according to court documents. After contacting Cabela’s, the company also learned that some shipments were made to the Beasleys' home. After Beasley was fired, additional suspected fraud was discovered through the shell companies.
Beasley likely will be sentenced sometime next year. On one count, he faces up to 10 years in prison, and on the remaining counts he faces up to 20 years in prison. He also faces up to a $250,000 fine on each of the 74 counts and the possibility of paying restitution.
The Times' estimated loss is $1 million, court documents say.
Ann McGlynn can be contacted at (563) 383-2336 or amcglynn@qctimes.com.
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