Editor’s Note: This story was updated to reflect additional comments from Erie Town Administrator Malcolm Fleming.
Erie officials announced the town was recently a victim of financial fraud after sending just over $1.01 million to an unknown person claiming to be a construction company the town had hired to build Erie Parkway bridge.
On Monday, Erie Town Administrator Malcolm Fleming sent out an email blast stating the town sent money to a person who requested a change in form of payment for the construction work on Erie Parkway Bridge, but was unaware the person was not working for SEMA Construction, Inc., the primary contractor for Erie Parkway Bridge.
On Oct. 21, an unknown suspect completed an electric form on the town’s website requesting a change in how SEMA would receive payments for its work.