Avon CEO Donnis Mizelle Cops to $580K Embezzlement

Donnis Mizelle, 56, of Avon, Indiana, has been sentenced to 33 months in federal prison after admitting to stealing more than $580,000 from the Hendricks Power Cooperative, the very utility he was entrusted to lead. The former CEO exploited his position for years, treating the cooperative’s funds as his personal piggy bank, according to federal prosecutors.

Mizelle, who served as CEO of the rural electric membership corporation since 2003, pleaded guilty to fraud charges stemming from a six-year crime spree that began in 2009. Federal investigators uncovered over 1,800 fraudulent expense entries, each disguised as legitimate business costs. In reality, the money paid for Mizelle’s European vacations, Florida getaways, sapphire jewelry, Colts and Pacers game tickets, guns, ammo, and even Mother’s Day brunch.

U.S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker handed down the sentence after a damning investigation by FBI agents and forensic accountants. The probe revealed Mizelle falsified nearly every one of his expense reports, submitting personal charges for iPhones, iPads, lawn equipment, wine, groceries, and clothing as if they were operational costs of the cooperative.

Hendricks Power Cooperative, owned by the 30,000 residents it serves, relies on trust and transparency. Mizelle’s betrayal cut deep. “We place a tremendous amount of trust and responsibility in our business leaders, particularly our CEOs,” said U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler. “Exploiting that trust for purely personal gain causes more than financial harm. It devastates employee morale and shakes the confidence of customers.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nick Linder, who prosecuted the case, confirmed Mizelle must pay full restitution to HPC. Even before sentencing, he had repaid $300,000 of the stolen funds. The remaining balance is due under court order.

In addition to 33 months behind bars, Mizelle will serve one year of supervised release upon his release from prison. The case stands as a stark warning to corporate leaders who believe they’re above the law — in small-town cooperatives or Wall Street boardrooms alike.