MISSOULA — A former Billings coal mining official who admitted defrauding companies of more than $20 million and lying to investigators about being kidnapped was sentenced today to five years in prison and three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Larry Wayne Price, Jr., 40, pleaded guilty in December 2018 to three counts of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and false official statement.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. Price was released and allowed to report to prison.

Restitution will be determined at a later date.

"The defendant'...