Ex-Indiana School Administrator Convicted In Kickback Scheme

Associated Press

Crime scene tape surrounded the parking lot as the FBI raided the Vigo County School Corporation offices in Terre Haute in June 2016.
*FILE PHOTO: Harrison Wagner/WFIU-WTIU*

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A former school district administrator in western Indiana has been convicted in a multi-year kickback scheme that federal authorities say cost the district more than $100,000.

The (Terre Haute) Tribune-Star reports a federal jury in Indianapolis found Franklin Fennell guilty of all counts on Wednesday night. He was convicted of nine counts of wire fraud, one count of theft and two counts of lying to federal investigators.

The 49-year-old Terre Haute man said nothing as the verdicts were read.

The case involved the Vigo County School Corp. Former sheriff's deputy Frank Shahadey, a former school security liaison, earlier pleaded guilty in the case.

Prosecutors have said they believe Fennell is eligible for 30 to 37 months in prison under federal sentencing guidelines. A date for sentencing wasn't immediately set.

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