The City of Warsaw is seeking damages from the ex-wife of the former street department superintendent who bilked the city out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The complaint for damages states Mildred Francis pleaded guilty on August 24 in Kosciusko Circuit Court to charges against her in the case. As part of her plea agreement she agreed to pay restitution and be responsible with the co-defendants in the case, including her former husband, Lacy Francis Jr.
On September 4, a judgment for damages for $955,707 was entered against Lacy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Indiana, South Bend Division.
By reason of Mildred’s plea agreement and the judgment against Lacy, Wednesday’s lawsuit states the city is entitled to judgment against Mildred also for $955,707.
Lacy participated in a kickback scheme involving private contractor Pro Form Pipe Lining Co. and its owner, Marc Campbell. Lacy helped Pro Form win bids on 11 city projects, involving installation of new lining for sewer pipes. The company deliberately overcharged for its work, sometimes by claiming to have done more work than what was actually performed, and shared the windfall with Lacy.
Lacy Francis was sentenced July 24, 2017, in Kosciusko County Circuit Court to two years in prison, according to a previous Times-Union story. Judge Michael Reed sentenced Francis to 13 years in the Indiana Department Corrections with 11 years suspended. After the two years in prison, Lacy Francis will serve four years on work release and five years of formal probation.
Lacy Francis was ordered by Reed to pay $25,000 in restitution.
He pleaded guilty July 12, 2017, to four felony counts, including official misconduct and corrupt business influence.
According to his plea agreement, Lacy forfeited his retirement benefits back over to the city, according to the Times-Union story.
Actions remain ongoing against Campbell and Pro Form to hold them responsible for misappropriated amounts, audit costs and treble damages.
Campbell, of Mishawaka, was sentenced on four felony counts of providing false information to obtain a governmental contract March 9, 2017, in Kosciusko Circuit Court, a previous Times-Union story states.
Reed sentenced Campbell to 1-1/2 years in prison on each count. Reed suspended the prison time, allowing Campbell to serve one year on home detention and five years on probation.
Campbell entered a plea agreement with prosecutors on Jan. 27, 2017. As part of the agreement, Campbell was ordered to pay $70,000 before his sentencing.
Reed ordered Campbell to pay restitution, as part of his probation. The amount owed will be determined by the pending civil case brought by the Indiana State Attorney General’s Office on behalf of the city.
