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Said pleads guilty to fraud
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MADISON - Dennis O. Said, 63, Blanchardville, pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court in Madison to two counts of fraud.

Said, owner of Trucks 4 You in Blanchardville, pleaded guilty to bank fraud and loan fraud. He faces up to 40 years in prison and up to $1.25 million in fines when he's sentenced Oct. 23. Said received several millions of dollars in loans and then defaulted on the loans, causing First National Bank of Blanchardville to lose more than $3 million.

The bank collapsed in 2003 after former bank president Mark Hardyman made several loans to former Wisconsin Dells Motor Speedway owner Bryan Severson. Hardyman tried to hide the loans from the bank's board by having Severson write worthless checks.

Said also received loans from the bank. Hardyman was sentenced to nine years in prison for his actions. Severson was sentenced to nearly 12 years.