Man found guilty of felony stealing in kickback scheme | News

JACKSON, MO (KFVS)- A man accused of running kickback scheme at a Sikeston business that police say netted nearly $1 million was found guilty.

A jury found Jason Paul Mitchell of Jackson guilty of felony stealing.

The court ordered a pre-sentence investigation and a sentencing assessment report.

Rajiv M. Toprani of Clarksville, Tenn. was also charged with felony stealing.

Mitchell and Toprani are accused of running a kickback scheme at The Dewitt Company in Sikeston.

The Dewitt Company makes gardening and golf course products.

Toprani owns a business called KT America which supplies fabrics to The Dewitt Company.

Mitchell was the purchasing manager for The Dewitt Company.

Mitchell is accused of receiving about $950,000 from Toprani from 2003 to 2010 in exchange for buying solely from Toprani at his prices.

The money was put into a special bank account for Mitchell and another employee at The Dewitt Company, according to the probable cause statement.

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