Speight to prison in BioFlop

Patsy Brumfield has updates on the Nettleton BioFlop.

First this

H. Max Speight, who admitted he defrauded a federal biofuels program, was sentenced Thursday to 26 months in prison. Senior U.S. District Judge Glen H. Davidson's sentence was more than the probation urged by defense attorney Kevin Payne, who cited his client's "substantial cooperation" with prosecutors and his status as an "ideal candidate" for probation. Susan Bradley, assistant U.S. attorney, supported the government's motion for a reduced sentence. Speight, 67, will report to prison Oct. 11. The judge also ordered him to repay $2.88 million to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

And on Speight's partner

His new attorneys have appealed his conviction, saying he is innocent – that Speight took the money – and that Tacker’s trial attorneys failed to put on an effective defense.

Remember that those attorneys are Oliver Diaz and Chuck McRae.

Also Patsy tells about Brandon Presley's visit to the plant, a more sober assessment than when he was mayor.

Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley drove by the idle plant a few days ago. He was the town's mayor when BMI rolled into town with big promises and big dreams. "Nothing's happened at the property," Presley reported as he looked at the locked gate at 128 Biodiesel Drive.