Former Williamson Mayor Pleads Guilty

  Former Williamson Mayor Darrin McCormick has pleaded guilty to lying to federal authorities.

The U.S. attorney’s office says McCormick entered his plea Thursday in federal court in Charleston. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine at his Aug. 28 sentencing.

McCormick was charged in April with lying to the FBI and the IRS about suspicious banking activity by Aracoma Contracting, LLC. McCormick formerly managed the Bank of Mingo’s Williamson branch.

Aracoma pleaded guilty last November to conspiracy to structure currency transactions. Prosecutors say the company structured cash withdrawals to avoid federal reporting requirements.

Prosecutors say Aracoma used the cash to meet payroll, avoid paying employment taxes and bribe a former workers’ compensation auditor.

Aracoma was ordered to pay more than $4 million in restitution.