Former City of Americus Public Works Director, Bernard Kendrick, pled guilty to 10 counts of theft from a local government receiving federal funds in federal court today.

According to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia Albany Division documents, co-defendant Lynne 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 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.