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.