ex-Appliance Executive Indicted in Appliance Scam EXCLUSIVE UPDATED

UPDATED JAN, 7 2012:  According to the Office of the US Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, Danilo (Donny) Danti (ex-president of defunct distributor Oakton) was indicted December 19, Arrested December 29, and Released on bond January 3. 
A jury trial is set for March 5th, 2012.

The indictment states that Mr. Danti knowingly transported over state lines, stolen goods including over 100 household appliances (including laundry, refrigerators, microwaves, etc, etc) having a value greater than $5000.
ApplianceAdvisor.com believes that the $5000 figure likely indicates that the game is higher stakes (for example a felony vs misdemeaner), and not the actual value of the merchandise.

The above is confirmed.

Not confirmed are the following detailed allegations made by our readers who seem to be in the know:

• The arresting officers were Secret Service Agents based out of Chicago.
  UPDATE 1/7:  Confirmed:  Secret Service is often used for interstate corporate fraud.

• That the total amount of stolen goods approached $500,000,
  Correction 1/7:  Confirmed: total losses are just over $300,000  How?  That's alot of bloody appliances.
   
• The scheme involved the theft of goods from at least one and possibly two Indiana dealers, and the theft of customer payments for appliances never delivered.
  Correction 1/7: Confirmed:  Actually one Indiana and one Illinois dealer
   
• It was claimed further, unconfirmed, that the charges leveled at Mr. Danti could result in 10 years of imprisonment if he does not cooperate in the recovery of the merchandise, and at least some "time" even if he does.

• UPDATE 1/7: Confirmed:  The theft occurred mostly in June and July 2011.  Insurance covered only a small part of the losses, because as you know insurance really only covers the insurance company.  Some manufacturers have stepped into the breach with improved terms.  The federal investigation continues.

• UPDATE 1/7:  The Hammond, Indiana Times reported the story, though with one error.  Appliances were not taken to Indiana.....they were taken out of Indiana.As more is learned, more will be reported.