Timber dealer accused of defrauding saw mills

ATLANTA - A federal grand jury has accused a Georgia timber dealer of defrauding a saw mill of $4 million over a 10-year period by charging for logs that were not delivered. <br> <br> John F. Thompson III, 53, of Palmetto was charged with money laundering and mail fraud, U.S. Attorney Williams S. Duffey Jr. said. <br> <br> The indictment said Thompson paid Annie M. Bailey, who operated scales at the Barnesville saw mill, to create phantom loads of timber. Bailey, 58, of Musella was indicted Sept. 11 on charges she violated tax laws. <br> <br> The phony bills were sent and payments to Thompson&#39;s company were sent through the U.S. mails from about 1987 to 1997, the indictment said. <br> <br> The saw mill was owned by Proctor & Gamble until it was sold to Weyerhauser in late 1992, Duffey said.