Former Vermeer Employee, and Others, Charged with Fraud

DES MOINES, Iowa – On April 24, 2018, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Scott Randell Whitehead, age 54, and others with defrauding Vermeer Corporation of Pella, Iowa, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. According to the indictment, Whitehead was Vermeer’s maintenance manager. Whitehead is alleged to have approved $3.6 million in invoices for products from two chemical companies, which were never received by Vermeer. Whitehead is also alleged to have received kickbacks from the two chemical companies. The two chemical companies are All Industrial Chemical of Hallendale Beach, Florida, and National Chemical Company of Davie, Florida. Whitehead is charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

Also charged are Natalia A. Sheps, age 38; Boris Vaysman, age 63; and Ana Hallon Gallego, age 57. Sheps and Vaysman are alleged to control All Industrial Chemical, which is alleged to have received more than $3.1 million from Vermeer; they are charged with conspiracy and money laundering offenses, based on checks written from Sheps and Vaysman. Gallego is alleged to control National Chemical Company, which is alleged to have received more than $500,000 from Vermeer; she is charged with conspiracy and money laundering, based on the transfer of funds between National Chemical Company’s bank accounts.

All four defendants are scheduled to appear in United States District Court in Des Moines on May 15, 2018. At that time, a trial date and other deadlines will be scheduled. The public is reminded that an Indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless they are proven guilty.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation—Des Moines Resident Agency. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.