Three Area Businessmen Indicted on Federal Fraud Charges

ST. LOUIS, MO—Three area businessmen surrendered to authorities on two separate indictments alleging bank fraud against Excel Bank, which failed in 2012 after receiving $4,000,000 in capital from the Treasury Department through the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).

According to the indictments, William Glasgow owned dozens of rental properties as part of his real estate business, Glasgow Realty, and did business with Excel Bank, the holding company of which was Investors Financial Corporation of Pettis County, Missouri. The indictment states that Glasgow had two loans on his rental properties, which he received by falsifying documentation.

In a separate unrelated indictment, James Crews and Michael Hilbert are alleged to have engaged in the real estate business, doing business through various entities including Crews Corporation, Hillcrew Properties, Merz Properties, Eagle Group, and Marathon RE. They owned dozens of rental properties in the St. Louis area and are alleged to have defrauded Excel Bank by submitting numerous draw requests for hundreds of thousands of dollars in escrow funds set aside for improvements to those properties.

William Glasgow, Town & Country, Missouri, was indicted by a federal grand jury on two felony counts of bank fraud. In a separate unrelated indictment, James Crews, Wentzville, Missouri; and Michael Hilbert, St. Charles, Missouri, were indicted the same day on two felony counts each of bank fraud. The indictments were returned December 11, 2013, but remained sealed until the defendants appeared in federal court for arraignment today in St. Louis.

If convicted, each count of bank fraud carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and/or fines up to $1 million. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

This case was investigated by the Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Tom Albus is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.