By BETH ALSTON
beth.alston@americustimesrecorder.com
www.americustimesrecorder.com

ALBANY —  The trial for former City of Americus Public Works Director, Bernard Kendrick and his co-defendant, Lynne Melvin was set to begin Monday, Oct. 3, in U.S. District Court in Albany, but the trial was postponed later this week until Jan. 23.
Following an FBI investigation of more than two and half years, Kendrick and Melvin were indicted on 10 counts each of theft from a local government receiving federal funds. The indictments were handed down in September 2015, 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.