The CEO of Uprise Fiber CEO in the large fraud scandal is exposed to 31 crimes

Stephen Kromer, the man in the center of an important fraud examination in which millions of taxpayers were involved in Nevada, has transformed into the prison of Washoe County, according to sources, which are close to the investigation near the examination near the examination.

His handover follows the Attorney General Aaron Ford, who announces that Kromer was officially charged with 31 theft during a press conference in Carson City on Friday morning.

The Attorney General of Nevada, Aaron Ford, said an arrest warrant for Kromer, the owner of Uprise Faser, with regard to a failed fiber optic project in Lovelock. He is accused

In a press conference on Friday in Carson City, Ford said, if convicted, there will be a prison sentence of up to 20 years per count and reimbursement costs. All 31 fees are considered criminals of category B.

The project announced in 2022, which Lovelock provides with high-speed internet, was plagued by financial discrepancies.

In 2023, the Nevada Ministry of Transport has concluded an agreement with Uprise on the construction of the telecommunications infrastructure around Lovelock for around 9.125 million dollars. After completing this agreement, Kromer brought millions of dollars into his personal account for this infrastructure project, according to the Attorney General.

The preliminary US lawyer for Nevada Sigal Chattah announced a federal examination of the project at the end of April 2025, with the focus on reproaching the embezzlement of funds from the US Ministry of Agriculture (USDA) and the Nevada Ministry of Transport (NDOT).

“In view of the overwhelming public interest in these allegations, the United States law firm announces that we will carry out a thorough investigation using all investigative instruments and resources available under the federal law in order to uncover all the facts or evidence in connection with these accusations,” said chattah.

The USDA terminated its contract with the rise after reports had emerged that 9 million US dollars had disappeared to state funds. The Federal Government had promised $ 27 million for the initiative, which was at a standstill after the sued of subcontractors and the rise due to non-payment.

In 2024, the bank documents showed that Kromer had withdrawn almost all funds in the company's account, even though minimal work was completed. A USDA examination in March 2025 showed significant violations of the contract, including non -compliance with the requirements for the agreement.

“USDA ends the financing obligations to improve fiber after an examination of the project,” said the agency.

Nevada's legislators have decided not to start their own investigations and cite any evidence of state misconduct. Senator Melanie Scheible, chairman of the Justice Committee, expressed the desire not to affect the ongoing criminal investigations.

Related |The owner of the course steps back from the family company in the middle of news 4 examinations for missing funds

AG Ford said that his office was dismantled by the Nevada Ministry of Transport on January 28, 2025 to start the investigation into promotion.

“These charges are the result of hard and committed work from the investigators and prosecutors of my office, and I couldn't be proud of the work they did,” said AG Ford. “I take this matter very seriously, and I have the belief that justice is served in this case.”