Having recently released his new album Beekeeper, fiddle player Steve Wickham reflects on an extraordinary 40-year career that’s seen him perform with rock.
Waucoma, IA- A northeast Iowa livestock company and four managers have been sentenced in federal court in a scheme to defraud livestock producers in Iowa and throughout the Midwest. Radio Iowa reports that 51-year-old Joe Wickham of Waucoma, 65-year-old Charlie Lynch of Waucoma, and 60-year-old Leland "Pete" Blue of Fredericksburg pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud. While 31-year-old Tyler Thoms of Fayette pled guilty to one count of causing a livestock dealer to keep inaccurate accounts and records. The charges came from their work with Lynch Livestock, where they were accused of downgrading cattle and manipulating scales to defraud customers during nearly two decades. Wickham and Lynch were fined $3,000 and Blue one thousand. Wickham was sentenced to six months in prison, and the others were each given probation. The company was fined $196,000 and ordered to pay more than $3 million in restitution.