School Corporation To Proceed With Law Suit

VIGO COUNTY, Ind. –  Monday night the Vigo County School Board voted to continue a civil lawsuit that was originally filed back in February to seek to retrieve money stolen in a kickback scheme involving two former employees and an area contractor.

Franklin Fennell and Frank Shahadey were accused of stealing thousands of dollars from the school corporation through inflated invoices from Michael Pick’s business.

Fennell was convicted by a jury while Shahadey pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal.

Pick did help police uncover the crime and helped to gather evidence and his attorney says that he has already agreed to pay back any illegal proceeds.

Frank Shahadey’s wife, Paula is also named in the suit. Even though she has not been charged criminally it is alleged that she knew what her husband was up to and benefited from it.

Frank Shahadey’s attorney has been quoted as saying that he is already paying restitution.

The school corporation’s attorney says that they are just trying to make sure that all the funds that were taken are payed back and that expenses are covered.

Fennell will be sentenced on next week on April 19th.