Attorney General's News Release

Feb. 22, 1999

Hannibal man sentenced to seven years in prison in Christian County for operating driveway repair scam

Ozark, MO — A Hannibal man was sentenced Friday to seven years in prison by a Christian County judge for defrauding an elderly Ozark woman in a driveway repair scam case tried by Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon's office.

George Lester Fogle, 51, was found guilty last year of one criminal count of unlawful merchandising practices in connection with the driveway repair scam after Nixon and Christian County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Orr filed charges against him.

The state had charged Fogle with obtaining money from an 86-year-old woman for driveway repair work the woman had not authorized and had little or no value. The state also charged Fogle showed up at the woman's house and pressured her into giving him $900 in cash and her checkbook.

Another Hannibal man, William Joseph Ledbetter, also was charged with unlawful merchandising practices in connection with the scam. His trial date has been set for April 19.

The charge against Ledbetter is merely an accusation; as in all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818