A former NASCAR Nationwide Series team owner was sentenced to more than six years in federal prison after pleading guilty to one charge of mail fraud as part of what federal prosecutors say was his part in a $12.7 million embezzlement scheme spanning 1995-2007, according to a news release from the office of U.S. Attorney Jim Letten out of New Orleans and court documents. Daniel Kinney, whose Premier Motorsports team fielded the #85 Nationwide Series car in select races from 2002-2007, was charged for his role in a scheme that included his girlfriend’s sister, Donna White, who worked at J.W. Stone Oil Distributor. According to documents filed in the case, prosecutors alleged Kinney and White worked together to steal checks and funds belonging to the company and deposit funds into their personal accounts. According to the news release, the stolen funds were used in part to fund the race team as well as for personal and gambling expenses. Kinney was sentenced to 78 months in prison, while White was sentenced to 40 months. They also must provide restitution of $12.7 million. Kinney must surrender to the U.S. Department of Corrections by May 11. Premier Motorsports is not the same team as Premier Racing, which competed in the Camping World Truck Series last year with driver Timothy Peters.(Scene Daily)(3-12-2010)
