Ohio makers of sports drink convicted of federal charges in $9 million investment scheme

Two Ohio businessmen accused of defrauding their sports drink company's investors and diverting money for personal use have been convicted of federal charges.

A jury on Wednesday convicted Preston Harrison and Thomas Jackson of scheming to deceive investors in their Westerville company about the sports drink OXYwater.

The men operated Imperial Integrated Health Research and Development LLC, which developed the beverage.

Harrison and his wife, Lovena Harrison, also were convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States and filing a false income tax return. She also was convicted of structuring financial transactions to evade currency reporting requirements.

Authorities say the defendants' conduct between summer 2010 and spring 2013 lost about $9 million for investors.

The Harrisons are from Lewis Center. Jackson is from Powell. They had denied the charges against them.

A sentencing date hasn't been announced.