TDS comments on grand jury indictments in theft by mail fraud case

Company expresses strong support for investigation and prosecution

On Wednesday, May 25, 2011, a federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin returned an indictment against a former TDS Telecom (TDS®) employee and a Hilton, NY vendor accused of thirty counts of theft by mail fraud. 

The following statements can be attributed to Drew Petersen, vice president of External Affairs and Communications for TDS Telecommunications Corp.:

     “TDS appreciates the significant efforts put forward by the U.S. Attorney for Western Wisconsin, John Vaudreuil and his office, to generate indictments against a former employee and a vendor accused of a scheme to defraud TDS.

     “In 2010, TDS identified financial irregularities in accounts relating to F.F. Tronixs, Inc. and former employee, Andrew G. Mahaffy, Sr. In response, TDS retained outside legal counsel and hired a forensic investigator to conduct a thorough financial investigation.

     “Subsequent to our findings, TDS immediately referred the matter to the United States Attorney’s Office. We appreciate the swift and decisive action taken on our behalf to bring forth the indictments.

     “TDS maintains a zero tolerance policy regarding fraud and malfeasance by employees or vendors. TDS intends to prosecute, to the fullest extent of the law, any crimes committed against our company.”

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