Daniel F. Froman of Gallatin has made a public response through his attorney, David Bell of Wyrsch Hobbs & Mirakian P.C., Kansas City, to felony charges filed against him over the past weekend. Froman denies the recent charges.
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Froman’s response indicates that Froman and his supporters are finalizing a plan which will make good on his debts, with payments to farmers based upon the weekly income of Gallatin Livestock Auction. The response states that a meeting to present Froman’s proposal to pay back the community will be scheduled in the near future.
Froman was arrested Aug. 21 and charged with one count of sexual assault and two counts of tampering with a witness, in connection with an incident which occurred at Gallatin Grain Company in mid-January.
According to the probable cause statement, Froman allegedly sexually assaulted an employee at Gallatin Grain Company on Highway 6, while she was working. The employee stated that she ran out of the office and left in her car. Froman came to her apartment the next day and gave her $1,000 in cash, telling her to keep her mouth shut.
Froman then contacted her again on Aug. 20, 2009, questioning her about a conversation, and again telling her to keep her mouth shut. In the probable cause statement, prepared by Sergeant David Merrill of the Highway Patrol, the victim is only identified by the initials A.D.S.
Froman posted 10% cash on a $35,000 bond on Aug. 22 on these charges.
Froman and his wife Pauline are also facing multiple felony charges for stealing grain, grain dealer fraud and filing false financial statements, in connection with the now defunct Gallatin Grain Company. The elevator was closed by the Department of Agriculture in February, and farmers filed over $4.5 million in claims with the Department of Agriculture. The Fromans are scheduled for arraignment in Daviess County Circuit Court on Sept. 3.
Froman’s statement of response, as submitted by his attorney to this newspaper, is presented in its entirety as follows:
"Danny Froman has helped many people in this community throughout the years. If you are reading this statement, then you probably know someone who has benefitted from his kindness and generosity.
"Danny now finds himself in a position where he owes the community. Danny and his supporters are finalizing a plan in an attempt to make good on his debts. As part of the plan, farmers will receive payments based upon the weekly income of Gallatin Livestock.
"Danny and his supporters will hold a meeting in the near future to present their proposal to the farmers for approval. Danny continues to work tirelessly to make sure that Gallatin Livestock remains a successful business both for his family and for the community.
"He will not permit the charges filed against him this week to destroy his good name, to ruin his business, or to prevent him from making good on his debts. Under the law, Danny is presumed innocent of the charges and he intends to enter a plea of not guilty.
"Danny looks forward to his day in court. Until his name is cleared, Danny asks that you show him the same respect and the same thoughtfulness that he has shown to the community for the last 45 years."