The duo engaged in a series of schemes to defraud the company’s lenders and financing partners, according to the indictment. “These schemes yielded billions in dollars in financing to First Brands and enabled Patrick James and Edward James to reap millions of dollars in proceeds derived from their fraud,” according to the indictment. They helped the company to grow but also “sowed the seeds of First Brands’ demise.”The brothers were each charged with nine counts, including continuing financial crimes enterprise, wire fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Lenders have denied James’ claims and blamed First Brands’ Chapter 11 case on alleged fraud involving the former CEO. Lawyers for Edward James didn’t immediately return messages seeking comment.