4 Ex-Aurora Execs Indicted in Fraud Scheme

A former chief executive and three other former top executives at Aurora Foods Inc. were indicted for their alleged role in a scheme to hide $43.7 million in trade promotion expenses to inflate the company’s earnings in 1998 and 1999. Aurora produces such well-known brands as Duncan Hines baking mixes, Log Cabin and Mrs. Butterworth’s syrups, Mrs. Paul frozen fish and seafood, Lender’s bagels and Aunt Jemima frozen breakfast products. The eight-count securities fraud indictment was filed in federal court in New York and named the following as defendants: Ian Wilson, 71, of San Francisco, the former chief executive; M. Laurie Cummings, 37, of Mill Valley, Calif., former chief financial officer and secretary; Ray Chung, 52, of Houston, former executive vice president; and Dirk Grizzle, 38, of Westerville, Ohio, former vice president of finance. The four resigned last year.