By BETH ALSTON
beth.alston@americustimesrecorder.com

AMERICUS — The City of Americus has received funds from Traveler’s Insurance in the amount of $270,500 ($271,000 less the City’s $1,000 deductible) which is related to the “misuse of funds claim involving former Public Works Director Bernard Kendrick.” That according to a news release from City Manager Steve  Kennedy Tuesday afternoon.
These funds will be returned to the City’s Storm Water Fund which is where the misused funds originated from, according to the release.
Following an FBI investigation of more than two and half years, Kendrick and his co-defendant, Lynne Melvin, were indicted on 10 counts each of theft from a local government receiving federal funds. The indictments were handed down in September by a federal grand jury. They were both arrested.
According to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia Albany Division documents, Melvin formed a corporation, Genesis Contracting & Consulting Services, LLC, on Sept. 15, 2010. On Sept. 15, 2010, Melvin formed another company, Genesis Grant Services, LLC.
Kendrick, in his role as City public works director, had Melvin write grant applications for grants that never materialized.
According to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia Albany Division documents, Melvin formed a corporation, Genesis Contracting & Consulting Services, LLC, on Sept. 15, 2010. That same day, Melvin also formed another company, Genesis Grant Services, LLC.
Kendrick, in his role as public works director, had Melvin write grant applications for grants that never materialized. The City paid Genesis $271,500 — between September 2010, and September 2011 — to write the grants, according to the indictment.
The trial is scheduled to begin on Oct. 3 in federal court.