Flathead quartet accused of fraud – Style ‘N Tile

The idea was to reproduce the licensed works of artists from Van Gogh to Norman Rockwell on kiln-fired tiles for use in kitchens and bathrooms, and sell them wholesale to big-box stores such as Lowe’s.

But State Auditor John Morrison says what happened instead was investors in the Bigfork company were defrauded of more than $1.1 million.

Morrison this week issued a cease-and-desist order on Style ‘N Tile and four Flathead Valley residents, and charged the four with securities fraud.

Named were Frederick “Fritz” Keck, his wife Sydnee Keck, Louise Tidwell and James Coolidge.

By VINCE DEVLIN of the Missoulian

http://missoulian.com/articles/2008/03/01/news/local/news05.txt