Bridgeport IL mayor, Vincennes man facing federal indictments | Crime

Max R. Schauf, 56, currently the mayor of Bridgeport, Illinois and Paul R. Kramer, 62, of Vincennes, Indiana, were arraigned today in federal district court in Benton on federal charges of mail fraud and obstruction of justice.

The indictment, returned Tuesday and previously held under seal, alleges that from July, 2008, until March, 2011, Schauf engaged in a scheme to defraud the City of Bridgeport by submitting false and fraudulent invoices, contracts, and bills for services and equipment, all from which he took a portion of money for his personal use.

Paul Kramer is alleged to have made false statements to agents investigating the scheme.

The indictment charges Mayor Schauf with three counts of mail fraud and one count of obstruction. The potential punishments for each charge include a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release.

The indictment charges Kramer with two counts of making False Statements to Federal Officers. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ranley R. Killian and Liam Coonan.