Arson destroyed the multimillion-dollar Tulsa Health Club

BA man pleads guilty to bankruptcy fraud, money laundering
 
A Broken Arrow man pleaded guilty Friday to bankruptcy fraud and money laundering allegations, but he remains set for trial on other federal charges – including arson – connected to a multimillion-dollar fire that destroyed a Tulsa health club in January 2006.

Sammy Joe Perryman, 69, had filed for bankruptcy in May 2005.

He pleaded guilty to a charge alleging that without the U.S. Bankruptcy Court’s approval, he sold the property on which Vintage Health Quest, 5122 S. Vandalia Ave., sat in November 2006 and then concealed from the court more than $91,000 in net proceeds from the sale.

The Jan. 22, 2006, fire gutted the 38,000-square-foot business, which previously was known as the Tulsa Athletic Club.

No one was injured, but the blaze reportedly caused about $2 million worth of damage.

Investigators declared the fire an arson within days, but a grand jury indictment against Perryman was not issued until last July 13.

In addition to arson and bankruptcy fraud, Perryman was charged with mail fraud, using fire to commit mail fraud, and money laundering.

Despite Perryman’s Friday pleas, he is still set for a jury trial on seven other charges – including the arson count.

The trial is scheduled to begin March 20 before U.S. Chief District Judge Claire Eagan.

Perryman, who is free on bond, is to be sentenced June 29 by Eagan on the bankruptcy fraud and money laundering counts.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Gallant stated in an Aug. 3 pleading that substantial evidence suggests that Perryman “completely controlled” the operation of the health club.

The grand jury alleged that Perryman submitted false information, including a bogus inventory, to an insurance company after the fire.

Gallant wrote that Perryman and his business entities “were all in extreme financial distress” at the time of the fire.