TTB Press Releases

Dennis Zeedyk Sentenced 48 Months, $76,500 Fine for Unlicensed Distilling

Dennis R. Zeedyk of La Porte, Indiana was sentenced on November 6, 2024 to 48 months in prison, 1 year supervised release, restitution of $43,727.93 to victims, and a $76,500 fine after pleading guilty to mail fraud and tax fraud. Zeedyk operated an unregistered still that produced a product marketed as pure grain ethanol but actually contained toxic methanol levels sourced from industrial alcohol remnants on Lake Michigan barges, resulting in at least three customer deaths.

Five Former Employees of Alcohol Distribution Company and Salesman from Napa Winery Charged with Bribery and Obstruction

A federal grand jury in Oakland, California, has indicted five former employees of an alcohol distribution company for their roles in a scheme to bribe grocery store alcohol buyers and conceal the bribes with false and forged financial documentation. A salesman for a Napa winery was also charged with bribery and making false statements. If convicted, defendants face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for conspiracy, interstate travel in aid of racketeering, and false statements charges; and up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for falsification of records to obstruct TTB investigations.