Former Street Super Arrested For Theft
Mayor Joe Thallemer and the Warsaw Police Department this morning have released information noting formal charges of theft, corruption and providing false information to a government entity will be filed against former street superintendent Lacy Francis Jr. Francis was arrested on eight felonies early this morning.
In a press release, Thallemer stated the WPD and the city have worked together in an “aggressive investigation” into financial irregularities uncovered by the city and immediately turned over to the Indiana State Board of Accounts. Enough evidence has been found to charge Francis and two employees of ProForm Pipe Lining Inc., namely the owner of ProForm, Mark V. Campbell, and Kevin R. Brown, a field supervisor for the company. Both men are from Mishawaka.
“At the root of the pending charges is the blatant abuse of the public’s trust,” Thallemer said in a prepared statement. “It is unacceptable. On behalf of our taxpayers, we will pursue full prosecution of all charges against everyone involved and, if convicted, push for maximum penalties and full restitution.”
The pending charges stem from accusations that Francis won bid approvals for ProForm to perform work on the city’s aging stormwater lines. A total of 11 billing discrepancies were found, amounting to over $260,000 paid out for work that was never done. (See related)
In an interview with StaceyPageOnline.com in January, Thallemer explained that it was a tip from a disgruntled employee of ProForm that led to the investigation. At that time, the billing discrepancies found that approximately $150,000 had been overpaid to the contractor dating back to 2010.
In the statement issued by Thallemer and the WPD this morning, it is noted evidence in the case and search warrants that were served revealed enough evidence for Kosciusko County Prosecutor Daniel Hampton to ready the charges against Francis, Campbell and Brown.
At approximately 9:15 a.m. this morning, the Warsaw Police Department along with the Kosciusko County Major Crimes Unit, Indiana State Police, Mishawaka Police Department, St. Joseph County Police Department and the FBI, in coordination with the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office, and the United States District Attorney’s Office, simultaneously executed four search warrants and three arrest warrants
Lacy Francis Jr., 59, was arrested this morning and booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on the initial charges of:
- Count I – Corrupt Business Influence, a Class C felony
- Count II – Aiding, Inducing or Causing Theft, a Class C felony
- Count III – Theft, a Class D felony
- Count IV – Theft, a Class D felony
- Count V – Providing False Information to Governmental Entity to Obtain Contract, a Class D felony
- Count VI – Official Misconduct, a Class D felony
- Count VII – Official Misconduct, a Class D felony
- Count VIII – Conflict of Interest, a Class D felony
Francis and the other two men are each being held on $25,000 surety bonds. The investigation is on-going.
The investigation, while on going, has thus far identified only the three individuals who were arrested today.
Francis was a 22 year employee for the city of Warsaw; the last 12 years serving as street superintendent. He resigned from the city on Jan. 27. (See related)
Also arrested was Marc V. Campbell, 53, the owner/president of ProForm; and Kevin R. Brown, 45, a field supervisor for ProForm,. Both men are from Mishawaka.
Campbell is charged with the following:
- Count I – Corrupt Business Influence, a Class C felony
- Count II – Theft, a Class C felony
- Count III – Providing False Information to Governmental Entity to Obtain Contract, a Class D felony
- Count IV – Providing False Information to Governmental Entity to Obtain Contract, a Class D felony
- Count V – Providing False Information to Governmental Entity to Obtain Contract, a Class D felony
- Count VI – Providing False Information to Governmental Entity to Obtain Contract, a Class D felony
Brown is charged with the following:
- Count I – Corrupt Business Influence, a Class C felony
- Count II – Aiding, Inducing or Causing Theft, a Class C felony
- Count III – Providing False Information to Governmental Entity to Obtain Contract, a Class D felony
- Count IV – Providing False Information to Governmental Entity to Obtain Contract, a Class D felony
- Count V – Providing False Information to Governmental Entity to Obtain Contract, a Class D felony
- Count VI – Providing False Information to Governmental Entity to Obtain Contract, a Class D felony
Proform Pipe Lining has done work for the city dating back to the 1990s.