US Man To Plead Guilty To Defrauding Fellow Amish

CLEVELAND (AP) — A U.S. man has agreed to plead guilty to defrauding fellow Amish in 29 states out of nearly $17 million.

The attorney for 77-year-old Monroe Beachy filed a notice informing federal court of Beachy’s “intention to plead guilty as charged.” Beachy declined to comment Tuesday.

The case has shaken the deeply traditional Amish religious community across the U.S.

According to the indictment, nearly 2,700 people and entities, including an Amish community loan fund, lost about $16.8 million since 2006.

The indictment charging Beachy with one count of mail fraud says he promised investors safe securities but moved money to riskier investments.