Fake promoter gets prison for SE Idaho scam

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IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho Falls man who deceived an events planning company into giving him money by promising to deliver big-name country music stars Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and Lady Antebellum to southeastern Idaho has been sentenced to eight years in prison.

Thirty-four-year-old Ryan D. Thueson received the sentence Tuesday in 7th District Court. He has also been ordered to pay $228,500 in restitution following his guilty plea to grand theft. He'll be eligible for parole after two years.

"It's a large amount of money and we felt that prison was appropriate," said Bonneville County Prosecutor Bruce Pickett.

Prosecutors dropped charges of forgery and computer crime as part of a plea deal.

Thueson ran an entertainment company in the area for at least five years called 78 Productions that brought in performers for area events.

Authorities said Thueson promised Riverbend Communications he could bring in the big-name performers through his contacts with a promoter. Riverbend gave Thueson money to be put into an escrow account to cover minimum payments to the performers.

The company is owned and operated by Frank and Belinda VanderSloot. Frank VanderSloot is also the owner of Idaho Falls-based health products direct marketer Melaleuca Inc.

Prosecutors say Thueson fabricated the story about working with a promoter, created fake emails and forged documents, and never delivered on his promise to bring performers to the region.

Authorities said Thueson spent the money on hotel rooms and concert tickets, using bank card transactions across the country. Police said there were also several large cash withdrawals.

The money hasn't been recovered.