Tagged: USA Harvest

A federal judge in Louisville has ordered the founder of USA Harvest to return to court in May after addressing several physical health issues and undergoing a mental examination.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Dave Whalin today set a May 29 court date for 63-year-old Stan Curtis.   Whalin said the two-month stretch before the next court date will allow Curtis to recover from two medical procedures and be examined by a psychiatrist to determine if he's competent to enter into a plea agreement on charges of using the charity to fund personal meals, travel and entertainment expenses.

After several delays, the founder of USA Harvest is scheduled to return to federal court this week to answer charges of misusing the charity’s funds.

Stan Curtis was expected to plead guilty last month, but his plea agreement was postponed because of questions about his competency.    His lawyer said Curtis had been hospitalized for an infection and was still too frail to enter the plea.

Curtis is charged with mail fraud, money laundering and filing false tax returns.

A federal judge has delayed the expected guilty plea of the founder of USA Harvest because of questions about his competency to understand the proceedings.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Dave Whalin today rescheduled a change of plea hearing for 63-year-old Stan Curtis until Jan. 31.

Louisville attorney Scott Cox, who represents Curtis, said his client's health has declined in recent days and he appears unable to grasp the legal proceedings. Prosecutors did not object to the delay.

The founder of USA Harvest is now scheduled to appear in federal court on Nov. 28 to change his not guilty plea.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Dave Whalin ordered Stan Curtis to appear in court that day for arraignment and change of plea to charges that he took nearly $200,000 from the Louisville-based charity he founded.

Curtis is charged with money laundering, mail fraud and filing a false tax return. He is accused of taking nearly $200,000 from USA Harvest and charging more than $350,000 to the charity for travel, entertainment and meals.

A federal court appearance is scheduled this week in Louisville for Stan Curtis, the man who received worldwide acclaim for his efforts to provide food to the needy.

Curtis is accused of stealing donations from one of his charitable organizations.

A bill of information issued last month accuses the 63 year old Curtis of mail fraud, money laundering and filing a false income tax return.