Co-defendant takes the stand against alleged co-conspirators in Housing Authority trial

UPDATE: On October 1, all three defendants were found guilty of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud.

ORIGINAL STORY:

SOUTH BEND, Ind.-- Contractors involved in the FBI investigation took the stand Thursday in the trial against Tonya Robinson, Albert Smith, and Doug Donley. 

One of those witnesses was Archie Robinson, owner of Kleaning to Renovation, or KTR, who already pleaded guilty in this case after being charged with bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank or wire fraud. 

As explained in the courtroom multiple times, his testimony and cooperation could help lessen his sentence. 

He admitted under oath he got illegitimate money from the Housing Authority. He explained he was approached by Archie Smith, and they designed a plan to create false invoices for work not being done in units.

Archie would cash the checks and split the money three ways: a third for himself, a third for Smith, and a third for Tonya Robinson. 

He would deliver the cash in envelopes to Smith. 

There were even repeat payments for “work” on the same address in less than a year, totaling at least $44,000. 

Five invoices were presented to Archie in front of the jury, and he confirmed all were fraudulent. He said in total, he made roughly 20 false invoices, and Smith made others. 

Also on the stand Thursday was Ronald Taylor, already convicted and sentenced in this case after pleading guilty to bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. 

The trial is ahead of schedule and will pick up Friday.

Click here for more of our coverage of the case.