Apr 25, 2024

NW Kan. CPA, creator of ‘Middle Finger Ranch,’ accused of bank fraud

Posted Apr 25, 2024 11:08 AM
Flanagin-photo from his booking Wednesday in Sedgwick County
Flanagin-photo from his booking Wednesday in Sedgwick County

WICHITA, KAN. – A northwest Kansas man made his initial appearance Wednesday before a federal judge following an indictment for defrauding clients of his accounting firm, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, Quintin Flanagin, 43, of Colby is charged with seven counts of wire fraud, four counts of bank fraud, two counts of false statements, and six counts of money laundering.

Flanagin, a certified public accountant (CPA), is part owner of the accounting firm, Williams Consulting. The owners of Diamond M. Farms in Thomas County contracted the firm to perform CPA duties for the company. Flanagin acted as signatory for Diamond M Farms bank accounts and prepared payroll.

Flanagin created a fictitious business called Middle Finger Ranch and added the company name to his personal bank account. Between December 2021 and August 2022, the defendant allegedly wrote multiple checks and initiated wire transfers totaling approximately $409,710 from Diamond M. Farms to Middle Finger Ranch under the guise of being payments for farm operations.

In 2021, Flanagin hired a construction company to build him a new house. The transaction records indicate he paid the contractor from the Middle Finger Ranch bank account within days of the funds being transferred from Diamond M. Farms.

The defendant made his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gwynne E. Birzer of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case.