Hoosier State Today

Mariama Wilson, the former Pigeon Township Trustee, and Terrance Hardiman have been sentenced for their involvement in a kickback scheme that resulted in a $38,000 loss to taxpayers. Both are residents of Evansville. Wilson received three years of probation after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Hardiman was sentenced to six months in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release after pleading guilty to money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. They were also ordered to pay $38,000 in restitution.

A third defendant, William Payne, is expected to enter a plea and be sentenced in January 2025.

The Pigeon Township Trustee’s Office is responsible for providing emergency financial assistance in Vanderburgh County, Indiana. Court documents reveal that Wilson and Payne collaborated with Hardiman and his company, Hardiman Construction LLC, inflating invoices for projects involving a homeless shelter and food pantry development. The fraudulent activity involved inflated invoices ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 per project.

Between February 11, 2020, and May 16, 2022, the office paid approximately $215,371 for these projects. The kickback scheme allowed Wilson and Payne to receive around $19,000 each.

Wilson resigned as Trustee in June 2023 following her charges.

Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana stated: “Large or small, kickback schemes like the one carried out by Ms. Wilson and the other defendants damage public’s confidence in government.” He emphasized the duty of honesty township officials owe their constituents.

Herbert J. Stapleton from FBI Indianapolis commented on the consequences faced by public officials misusing funds: “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will always work together to investigate allegations such as this.”

Justin Campbell from IRS-Criminal Investigation added: “When these officials violate the trust we have placed in them there should be consequences.”

Vanderburgh County Sheriff Noah Robinson praised individuals who report corruption: “The crimes committed by these officials are a slap in the face to the community.”

The investigation involved several agencies including the FBI and IRS-CI. U.S. District Judge Matthew P. Brookman imposed the sentences with Assistant United States Attorney Matthew B. Miller prosecuting.