Sept. 19 arraignment for 6 Explo Systems owners, executives
NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Arraignment is scheduled Sept. 19 for owners and officials of a company charged with conspiracy involving 7,800 tons of potentially explosive artillery propellant eventually abandoned at a Louisiana facility.
They’re accused of lying to get contracts to “demilitarize” the M6 artillery propellant, storing it unsafely and obstructing inspections.
Attorneys Ron Miciotto (mish-OH-toh) and Donald Hathaway Jr. say their clients are innocent. Miciotto represents owner David Fincher of Burns, Tennessee, and Hathaway represents vice president of operations William Terry Wright of Bossier City, Louisiana.
Explo Systems’ other owner, David Alan Smith, is from Winchester, Kentucky. All four officials are from northwest Louisiana.
All six are charged with criminal conspiracy. The owners, Wright and two other officials each face six counts of wire fraud and more than 20 of making false statements.
