Salt Lake Tribune
Former businessman fined in kickback scheme This e-mail was initiated by machine [10.148.8.4] at IP [10.148.8.4].
A federal judge Tuesday placed the former owner of a West Valley City environmental testing company on one year's probation and fined him $100,000 for his part in a kickback scheme to get government contracts. Raed "Rusty" Labban, 41, had pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and admitted in a plea bargain that he gave half of the amounts - $175,000 - from service and construction contracts at the Tooele Army Depot to Muntaser Rashwan, an environmental engineer who worked there and helped him get the work. U.S. District Judge Bruce Jenkins said incarceration would serve no useful purpose but the fine would be a deterrent. Rashwan's case is still pending.
Arson suspect now faces federal charge
A Draper man who claimed to be a hero after rescuing his wife, two young children and the family dog from an apartment fire that he allegedly started now faces a federal arson charge. On Nov. 10, Michael Wayne Wold, 38, allegedly started the fire, then jumped from a window and started catching the children as his wife dropped them down. The fire was later deemed an arson by investigators, and Wold allegedly admitted setting it, according to a state arson charge which was dismissed Tuesday to allow for the federal prosecution, which carries harsher penalties.
Ex-U. librarian sentenced in child porn case
A former University of Utah librarian has been sentenced to probation and 10 days in jail for downloading child pornography on a school-owned computer. Ralph E. Kranz, 58, had pleaded guilty in 3rd District Court to second-degree felony sexual exploitation of a minor and third-degree felony attempted sexual exploitation of a minor. As part of his probation, Kranz must pay a $2,500 fine, complete sex-offender therapy and 180 days home confinement. He is barred from having Internet access or pornography.