Oil rig scam defendants set for first court date

WICHITA, Kan. -- Seven men accused of cheating investors out of $132 million with false promises about companies that leased oil rigs are due in federal court in Wichita, Kan.

Six of the defendants are from Kansas; the other is from Oklahoma. A federal grand jury indicted them in September on charges including of mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering.

All of the men received summonses for first appearances Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Humphreys in Wichita. First appearances typically involve appointment of legal counsel and bond setting.