NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - Two former executives of a company that reconditioned football helmets and other gear have pleaded guilty to swindling dozens of schools in 12 states.
Mitchell Kurlander and Alan Abeshaus (AB'-iss-hows) pleaded guilty to conspiracy in Newark Tuesday. They each face up to 20 years in prison.
They were charged in 2011 with using Easton, Pa.- based Circle System Group, to defraud schools and youth sports programs over a 10-years period.
They allegedly duped schools to pay invoices twice, created fake price quotes from competitors and inflated invoices to reimburse themselves for money given to school charities. They also were accused of showering school officials with gifts.
Prosecutors say schools were swindled in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Michigan.
