Document text
Nielsen says he�s innocent of fraud By Jessica Smith A Medford planning commissioner accused of fraud says he wants his supporters to know he�s innocent. Dennis Nielsen, 51, who was arrested and jailed Thursday on charges that he and his business partner bilked more than $40,000 from a client, said he is "flabbergasted" by the situation in which he finds himself. "I feel like I�m in �The Twilight Zone,� " Nielsen said Saturday, speaking from his home. "The only thing I can tell you is that I�m completely innocent of any charges." Nielsen was arraigned Friday on charges of aggravated theft and operating without a contractor�s license. He was released on his own recognizance from the Jackson County Jail later in the day. Nielsen�s partner, Lee Milton Greenstone, 50, of Shady Cove, was released late Thursday after posting bail. A man who answered the telephone at Greenstone�s home Saturday said Greenstone was unavailable for comment. The pair were arrested Thursday morning after police investigated a complaint that their company, First Choice Construction, altered or faked invoices sent to Western Beverage Co. to increase the amount billed to their client. The companies apparently agreed to a flat rate for construction services at Western Beverage�s Mason Way office. Nielsen acknowledged that Western Beverage and his company were "in discussions" to "clarify" billing issues, but said he was not involved in anything illegal. Nielsen said he believed Greenstone also is innocent of any wrongdoing, but added that he could not speak for his partner. Nielsen also disputed charges that his contractor�s license was inactive when First Choice was hired by Western Beverage. "I have a terrible concern on what effect this has on my ability to do business in Medford," he said. "I have great concerns about how people will view me as a person. ... I am an honest person." No trial date has been set, but Nielsen said he expects to be cleared on all charges. It remains unclear what effect, if any, Nielsen�s arrest will have on his public service to Medford. In addition to his position as a planning commissioner, Nielsen sits on the city�s Site Plan and Architectural Commission. Reach reporter Jessica Smith at 776-4481, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.