Herman Miller fraud scheme co-conspirator sentenced to 27 months in prison
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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – After co-devising a scheme to steal $1.8 million from office furniture giant Herman Miller, Kevin John Grimm has been sentenced to serve 27 months in federal prison.

According to court records and local news reports, Grimm worked with co-conspirator Jerry Lee Akers, Herman Miller’s senior energy manager, to set up a false company which then contracted with Herman Miller to ostensibly supply natural gas to four of its locations. From June 2010 through July 2015, Herman Miller received and paid fraudulent invoices for gas sales and services not delivered. Akers was sentenced to 41 months in prison back in May.

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Ex-Herman Miller exec accused of stealing $1.8 million from office furniture maker

Former Herman Miller executive Jerry Lee Akers is facing felony charges that he bilked the office furniture manufacturer of $1.773 million over a five-year period.


In addition to the prison term, Grimm was ordered to serve two years of supervised release, pay $458,947.14 in restitution and forfeit an additional $458,947.14 to the government.

Prior to Akers' sentencing, he and Grimm returned the fraudulent funds they received from the scheme. Akers’ sentence reflects the government’s recommendation that he should receive a reduced sentence for his help in the investigation and prosecution of Grimm.

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Robert Dalheim

Robert Dalheim is an editor at the Woodworking Network. Along with publishing online news articles, he writes feature stories for the FDMC print publication. He can be reached at [email protected].