An alert Howland Township official may have helped authorities stop an alleged Ponzi scheme.
Township Administrator Darlene St. George said former township zoning inspector Mark Zuppo became concerned about developer David Harriett in Jan. 2009.
St. George said it was at that time that Zuppo got a call from an investor asking about Harriett's plans for a grand opening of a Pioneer Take Out in Howland Township. There were no permits taken out for the fast food chicken restaurant, Harriett didn't own the land and the site was not zoned for a drive thru, township officials said.
"It bothered him that he couldn't get any answers and that Harriett kept canceling appointments so he called the FBI to let them know what was going on," St. George said. "They may have already had some of their own concerns, we don't know."
Authorities say Harriett now faces a federal charge of mail fraud after he allegedly defrauded nearly 200 investors of $7 million over 14 years.
St. George said the whole situation was a surprise, because Harriett had a good reputation.
"He was a pillar of the community," St. George said. "He had a nice house, coached baseball, there was no reason to doubt him."
Township Police Chief Paul Monroe said people need to be careful and to check out investors before handing over any money.
