By BETH ALSTON

ALBANY — Bernard Kendrick, former City of Americus public works director, pleaded guilty in federal court Friday morning to one count of theft from a local government receiving federal funds. His trial had been scheduled to start on Monday, Jan. 23.
Kendrick’s plea was before Judge Leslie J. Abrams in U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia, Albany Division.
In the plea agreement, Kendrick waives his right to a trial and appeal, and agrees to pay restitution as ordered by the Court. The remaining 10 counts against Kendrick will be dismissed, according to the plea agreement.
Kendrick faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of up to three years after his release from prison. He will be sentenced at a later date.
According to original federal indictment, Kendrick and 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 for the City of Americus, 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 City of Americus requested that the Federal Bureau of Investigation conduct the investigation.
As for Melvin, her trial is scheduled to begin Monday, Jan. 23 in U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia, in Albany.