Sentences Handed Down in Barber Case

Three men appeared before a federal judge this week to receive sentencing in a $200 million bank-fraud scheme tied to former Northwest Arkansas developer Brandon Barber.

Northwest Arkansas Media reports that New York attorney James Van Doren, an Arkansas native and friend of Barber’s, was given a prison sentence of 15 months and a fine of $10,000 by U.S. District Judge P.K. Holmes III. Van Doren pleaded guilty to money laundering last year, accused of helping Barber hide assets from creditors by agreeing to accept a $64,000 check from Barber then returning $20,000 of that money to him later.

Others charged in the indictment last year, Brandon Fisher and Jeff Whorton, both of Springdale, were also sentenced this week.

Rains, a real estate developer, was fined $5,000 but avoided no jail time for his role. He pleaded guilty of lying to the FBI and IRS.

Whorton, a home builder, was given 14 months of home detention and fined $10,000.

A fourth co-defendant, Fayetteville attorney Vaughn Knight, was convicted a year ago of conspiracy to commit bankruptcy fraud, bankruptcy fraud, making false statements and five counts of money laundering.

The verdict, however, was overturned on every charge except the false statements claim (for which Knight was acquitted) and a new trial ordered. Thar ruling has been appealed.

Barber, who pleaded guilty July 31, 2013, to three felony charges of conspiracy to commit bankruptcy fraud, money laundering and conspiracy to commit bank fraud, was sentenced Oct. 28 to 65 months in prison and three years of supervised release.