Two Jackson County men face multiple felony charges in connection with theft and deceptive business practices in their solar energy company’s dealings with area churches and businesses, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.
Carl Edward Long, dob: 8/26/1949, and Anthony Long, 5/6/1970, face one count of Theft of $25,000 or more and seven counts of Unlawful Merchandising Practices.*
According to court records, an investigation by FBI agents found that the Longs sold solar energy systems to churches in Kansas City, Oak Grove and Lee’s Summit but failed to deliver or install the solar systems after collecting nearly $35,000 in payments. Carl Edward Long told an employee not to use his name because he didn’t want customers to find out about his previous felony conviction.
Prosecutors have requested a bond of $50,000. The case remains under investigation.
*Charges are only accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or has pleaded.