2 former Stanford executives convicted of fraud

Friday, November 16, 2012, Vol. 36, No. 46

HOUSTON (AP) — Two former associates of R. Allen Stanford have been convicted of fraud for trying to help the imprisoned Texas financier conceal a $7 billion Ponzi scheme.

Prosecutors in Houston say 70-year-old Gilbert Lopez Jr. and 40-year-old Mark Kuhrt were both convicted Monday of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and nine counts of wire fraud.

Each count carries a maximum 20 years in prison.

Earlier this year, Stanford was convicted on 13 fraud-related counts and sentenced to 110 years in prison. Prosecutors say Lopez and Kuhrt helped to hide Stanford's misuse of assets.

Lopez is a former chief accounting officer of Stanford Financial Group Co. Kuhrt is a former global controller of Stanford Financial Group Global Management.

Sentencing has been set for Feb. 14.