Former Fasteners executive denies wire fraud charges, says he didn’t use company money for personal expenses

A former executive of Fasteners Inc. disputes that he used company money for personal purchases, and says he’ll vigorously defend himself against the allegations in a grand jury indictment.

“I’ve got a sterling reputation in this town,” William Kevin Jones said in a phone interview Wednesday. “When my side comes out before a judge and a jury, when they see all the evidence … I’m confident that I’ll be exonerated.”

Jones said he’s hired attorney Roger Peven for his defense.

Jones was charged with 16 counts of wire fraud in the Dec. 19 indictment in U.S. District Court in Eastern Washington. Court documents allege Jones used at least $120,648 in company funds between 2013 to 2016 to pay for items such as his children’s college tuition bills, landscaping at his residence and a truck. Journal entries for the checks indicated the money was spent for company business expenses, according to court documents.

Jones said he was hired as Fasteners chief financial officer in 2000 and became the chief executive officer of the Spokane Valley company about two years later.

Jones said he left the company in December 2015, after it was purchased by a Minnesota-based competitor, Fastenal Co.