Change Of Plea Hearing Delayed Again In Case Of Ex-Street Chief Lacy Francis
May 8, 2017 at 5:09 p.m.
By Michael [email protected]
Lacy Francis, 64, Warsaw, faces eight felony counts in connection with a scheme that bilked the city out of at least $300,000 over several years.
Francis first requested a change of plea in March. On April 10, the hearing was delayed to this morning. The hearing was rescheduled to 10:30 a.m. May 22.
At the hearing today, Francis was expected to change his original not guilty plea, but it is not known to what.
The delay is the latest setback in a case that was filed in 2014.
Police allege Francis masterminded the plot with Marc Campbell of Pro Form Pipe Lining LLC. Francis would “tip” Campbell off to the bids for city contracts to ensure Pro Form would be awarded projects. As Pro Form would be awarded the contracts, it would “add 100 feet” to each project and Campbell would pocket the extra money.
Police say Campbell transferred $100,000 of the ill–gotten funds to Francis.
Police were alerted to the scheme when an anonymous tipster called the city office and reported Pro Form was overbilling for its work.
Campbell pleaded guilty to four counts of providing false information to obtain a government contract and was placed on home detention in March.
Campbell paid $70,000 back to the city to as part of his plea agreement.
It is unknown if the city has recovered any of the other lost funds. A call to city officials was not returned as of press time this morning.
Two others still face charges in connection with the scandal: Francis’ wife, Mildred, who is due in court for a pretrial conference later this afternoon, and Pro Form Field Supervisor Kevin Brown. Brown’s next court date is at 3 p.m. May 15.
Charges against Krista Mishler, a secretary for Pro Form, were dismissed April 10.
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Lacy Francis, 64, Warsaw, faces eight felony counts in connection with a scheme that bilked the city out of at least $300,000 over several years.
Francis first requested a change of plea in March. On April 10, the hearing was delayed to this morning. The hearing was rescheduled to 10:30 a.m. May 22.
At the hearing today, Francis was expected to change his original not guilty plea, but it is not known to what.
The delay is the latest setback in a case that was filed in 2014.
Police allege Francis masterminded the plot with Marc Campbell of Pro Form Pipe Lining LLC. Francis would “tip” Campbell off to the bids for city contracts to ensure Pro Form would be awarded projects. As Pro Form would be awarded the contracts, it would “add 100 feet” to each project and Campbell would pocket the extra money.
Police say Campbell transferred $100,000 of the ill–gotten funds to Francis.
Police were alerted to the scheme when an anonymous tipster called the city office and reported Pro Form was overbilling for its work.
Campbell pleaded guilty to four counts of providing false information to obtain a government contract and was placed on home detention in March.
Campbell paid $70,000 back to the city to as part of his plea agreement.
It is unknown if the city has recovered any of the other lost funds. A call to city officials was not returned as of press time this morning.
Two others still face charges in connection with the scandal: Francis’ wife, Mildred, who is due in court for a pretrial conference later this afternoon, and Pro Form Field Supervisor Kevin Brown. Brown’s next court date is at 3 p.m. May 15.
Charges against Krista Mishler, a secretary for Pro Form, were dismissed April 10.
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