Seattle — A 63-year-old Renton man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to lying to federal agents about a fraud scheme carried out by a former Drainage District Commissioner and his wife.
Darrell Winston faces up to five years in prison.
According to the plea agreement, Winston repeatedly misled FBI agents about his agreement with and work for former Drainage District Commissioner Allan Thomas and his wife.
Winston operated a business, claiming he been hired by Thomas to clean some of the drainage ditches in the district. In fact, he and his company did little or no work, but were paid more than $50,000 by King County based on fake invoices. He then paid most of the money back to Allan Thomas and his wife, and the two used the money for their own benefit.
The Thomas’ have been charged with 15 federal crimes, including conspiracy, mail fraud, and money laundering in connection with their six-year scheme to divert more than $400,000 in local tax dollars to their own use.
Allan Thomas served as Commissioner for Drainage District 5 in King County for more than 35 years.