Truckers Sentenced in Fraud Case

FLORENCE, S.C. (AP) - The owners of a Lamar company and two employees have been sentenced in federal court for conspiracy to commit fraud, according to U.S. Attorney J. Rene Josey's office.

Authorities said Blackwell Auto Brokers Inc. conspired with and encouraged employees to operate tractor-trailer rigs without proper driver's licenses.

The owners allowed workers to use false identification to avoid detection and gave insurance companies false information to obtain coverage, Josey said.

John E. Blackwell and Linda M. Blackwell were sentenced Thursday to five years' probation, fined $2,000 apiece and ordered to pay restitution to their insurance company.

Their corporation was fined $12,000 and placed on two years' probation.

Employees William L. Watford and Joe H. Eddins Jr. each received five years' probation.

Eddins also must do 100 hours of community service.

All four pleaded guilty last year. All are from Hartsville.