A Brazil man has been arrested and faces a list of charges after taking almost $300 thousand from the Clay County Humane Society for a construction project that was never completed.
Police arrested Stephen "Ernie" Spradley II, 53, Brazil, and charged him with fraud, money laundering and theft. According to court documents, Spradley and his company, SESCO, were hired in 2024 to build a new facility for the humane society in Clay County. Shortly after the construction project began, communication began to break down with Spradley.
Court documents allege Spradley used the funds and instead purchased Indianapolis Colts tickets, Purdue University tickets, bought groceries, a house in Brazil, a trailer and vehicles, as well as other items.
In total, Spradley took $298,343.75 from the Clay County Humane Society.
The new facility has yet to be completed and Spradley has failed to return the money he was given for the project. The Clay County Humane Society has also filed a civil suit to reclaim the money, according to court documents.
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