Sylacauga man pleads guilty to fraud charges

A Sylacauga man plead guilty to federal wire fraud charges wednesday.  Frank Conn entered his plea in federal court in Birmingham.  According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the charges involved  a scheme to defraud the Tennessee Valley Authority out of money.  The indictment alleged that Conn submitted $72,000 in fraudulent invoices for removing vegetation from power lines and other TVA property in 2009.  During the time of the scheme, Conn worked as owner and manager of Conn Equipment Rental, operating as Vegetation Management Services.  His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 28.