Land fraud trial wraps up; jury gets case

After 20 witnesses, more than 100 documents and seven days of a federal trial, jurors now will decide whether two Marion County men purposely defrauded investors in a Dade County, Ga., land deal or if the men were developing the site legitimately.

Lawyers finished closing arguments in the money laundering and wire fraud trial of Joshua Dobson, 35, and Paul Gott III, 40, late Friday afternoon. The jury is scheduled to return Monday to begin deliberations.

Prosecutors John MacCoon and Perry Piper showed letters, emails, bank transfers and checks on the overhead projector, connecting money transfers through multiple people to Dobson’s company, Southern Group.

“This is really a snapshot of the conspiracy in action,” MacCoon told the jury. “It’s just plain fraud.”

The prosecutors had alleged throughout the trial that the men used multiple schemes to move money from their company to pay down payments for investors who couldn’t afford them but who could use their good credit to sign for loans.

The no-money-down deal had Southern Group paying down payments and mortgage payments or moving money through relatives and friends from Southern Group to the investors who then paid the bank, according to court testimony.

The banks then would issue the full sale price to Southern Group, according to court testimony.

Southern Group served as an umbrella organization for other busi-

Volunteers, teachers and coaches from the 10-county Southeast Tennessee region will meet at McCallie School to watch their students and clients show their ability.

Melton has been doing stomach crunches every night to prepare for today, said Augusta Arwood, her supportive living companion.

Melton holds at least 20 medals in various sports and has competed at the state level. She is the only woman from Orange Grove Center on the flag football team and snow skiing team. She also participates in bowling, volleyball, basketball and track and field.