Man charged in Kickback scheme pleads not guilty (Houston Chronicle)

On Friday, a former employee LyondellBasell accused of having participated in a system of rebates that can have the company more than $ 80 million pleaded not guilty to charges in Federal Court. Jon Barnes, former manager chartering sea LyondellBasell, appeared before the judge of first instance American George Hanks dark green prison garb .a 12-count indictment, which remains under seal, but were discussed in another Federal Court earlier this week, includes charges of fraud, money laundering, making false statements on a claim for passport and indictment smuggling.The cash names in bulk Barnes and two traders who operates a company called Tuscan Petroleum oil, Clyde Meltzer of Houston and Bernard Langley's United Kingdom. They pleaded not guilty, Wednesday and were denied bail.The hearing Friday is short, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg Costa representative Government and Attorney Rusty Hardin representing Barnes. Hardin, Costa has refused to comment after hearing.The indictment alleges that allowed LyondellBasell Barnes to pay companies linked at rates above market Meltzer and Langley oil shipped to Venezuela LyondellBasell refineries. Part of the excess charges were hit return Barnes, whereas Meltzer and maintained Langley rest.The led to charges survey began almost a year ago, when officials at LyondellBasell noticed charges reared for their oil coming from Venezuela.Fired by LyondellBasellAn internal investigation determined that Barnes was allowing more costs for the transport of oil. Barnes was fired, and the case was handed over to the Prosecutor General's Office of United States in Houston. The company says cooperates with authorities.According testimony during the sitting of Wednesday, Barnes has decided to bring a device to register for meetings with the other accused. The first was a lunch 1 November with Clyde Meltzer at of Del Frisco Double Eagle Steak House in the Gallery, where talk included a judge Venezuelan corruption with their captors in the country killed so that they would torture trapped Meltzer had chartered has been seized tanker crew. After a second conversation in another region Gallery restaurant Dec.??9, federal agents arrested Meltzer and Langley and Tuscan raids offices.Once worked for EnronThe Government believes Meltzer, Langley and Barnes were responsible for LyondellBasell price $ 65 million. Barnes may have orchestrated with other Awards $ 25 million that have not yet being arrested, according to testimony.In hearing Wednesday, prosecutors said Meltzer and Barnes had similar in the 1990s when Barnes has worked for Enron.tom.fowler@chron.com transactions