Muncie Building Commissioner To Serve Two Years For Crimes

Muncie’s former building commissioner will spend two years in federal prison after the government says he used his office to defraud the city.  IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reports.

Craig Nichols (Photo: City of Muncie)

Former Muncie Building Commissioner Craig Nichols pleaded guilty to two of 34 federal charges against him, as part of a deal – wire fraud and money laundering.  He’ll serve two years.

Federal officials say Nichols defrauded the city of Muncie out of nearly $300,000 by billing for fake house demolitions and inflated asbestos inspections through companies he owned, using his position as building commissioner to do so.

Read: Sentencing Documents Tell Story Of Muncie Building Commissioner’s Deception

He’ll also have to pay back much of that money – just under $218,000, according to the court.  But Nichols’ defense says that will be difficult.  Nichols has admitted to a gambling problem and lawyers say he has no proceeds left from his crimes.

Nichols was arrested after an FBI raid on Muncie City Hall in January 2017.