A prominent equestrian who is the son of one of the richest men in America, was convicted of three counts of wire fraud today in the climax of a four-year Federal investigation into horse killing and insurance fraud.
George Lindemann Jr., 31, faces a mandatory prison term, which prosecutors said could be between 15 months and 15 years, and a maximum $3 million fine for ordering the 1990 killing of a show horse, Charisma, to collect $250,000 in insurance money.
A co-defendant, Marion Hulick, was convicted of the same charges. Mrs. Hulick, 60, was the trainer and manager at the Lindemann family's horse farm near Greenwich, Conn.
Mr. Lindemann, the son of George Lindemann, who made a fortune in the cellular-phone business, winced as the guilty verdicts were read. Sentencing was set for Dec. 18. The defendants left the courthouse without talking to reporters. Defense lawyers said they would appeal.
For the younger Mr. Lindemann, a rider who has been highly ranked nationally and internationally and who aspired to the United States Olympic team, the conviction almost certainly means he will not be able to compete in Atlanta next summer. He continued to compete since his indictment last year, and during the trial he expressed optimism he could qualify for the team.
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